Manchester City Transfer News: Yaya Toure Wants EPL Stay in Latest Rumours

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure is keen to extend his playing career after leaving the club this summer and reportedly wants to join another Premier League team.

City boss Pep Guardiola revealed on Friday that this season would be Toure's last at the Etihad Stadium, bringing an end to a memorable eight-year stint in sky blue. 

According to Paul Hirst of The Times, the 34-year-old "wants to continue playing and his preference is to remain in England."

Speaking about the Ivory Coast international ahead of Sunday's game against Huddersfield Town in the Premier League, Guardiola outlined just how important he believes Toure has been during the finest era in City's history, per Sky Sports News:

At his best, Toure was a force of nature in English football's top flight, as he bossed many a midfield battle for City.

When he joined from Barcelona in 2010, the consensus was that the ex-Monaco man was a defensive footballer, having underpinned the Blaugrana midfield under Guardiola. At times, most notably in the 2009 UEFA Champions League final, he even operated as a central defender.

However, at City he was given licence to roam forward by manager Roberto Mancini, and his incredible surges through midfield became something of a trademark. As Squawka Football noted, he has been an all-around performer:

What made Toure so special was his ability to stand up in big games. When City won the 2010-11 FA Cup, he netted winners in both the semi-final against Manchester United and the final against Stoke City.

Jon Super/Associated Press

The following season, he scored twice on the penultimate matchday at an in-form Newcastle United to put City in pole position to win the Premier League title.

Two years later, Toure finished with 20 league goals, once again being the driving force behind another title win. Former City skipper Paul Lake outlined some of his best memories of the player:

It proved to be the high point of his City career, as he's struggled to recapture those levels since. Toure is no longer the most mobile of footballers, and if he is to keep playing, he would need to have energetic operators alongside him in midfield.

Still, for the right team, there's no denying Toure could still do a job. He remains technically excellent and intelligent on the ball. Writer Tom Victor joked that the midfielder could be a target for a side like West Ham United, who signed former City star Pablo Zabaleta last summer:

The team that gets Toure will be getting a player with a penchant of changing matches with pieces of brilliance and a steely mentality in big contests. However, he would need to be accommodated and, given he turns 35 on May 13, is only a short-term fix to any issues.

Toure has two games left in front of his home supporters, including Sunday's clash with Huddersfield, when the legendary midfielder will lift his third Premier League title.