Yaya Toure claims that Manchester City would have struggled to sign Sergio Aguero and David Silva had he not arrived from Barcelona in 2010
The Ivorian midfielder became one of the most influential figures, along with Aguero and Silva, in City’s most successful period in their history between 2010 and 2018.
In that time, City collected three Premier League titles, three EFL Cups, one FA Cup and the Community Shield.
And Toure believes his £24m arrival from Barcelona in July 2010 proved to be the catalyst in the club’s acquisition of more big-name signings with Mario Balotelli and Silva joining in the same window.
A year later, Aguero came to City from La Liga side Atletico Madrid in a £36m deal and he’s since gone on to become the club’s record scorer with 213 goals in 314 appearances.
“For me it was normal, coming from Barcelona but it gave the other players belief,” Toure told Sky Sports.
“We had the squad and the football club had the money to buy who they wanted but the problem was how to attract the big players to what was at that time, if I can say, a normal club.
“That was my challenge – to come and also to bring good players with me. Aguero, Silva, Balotelli, Boateng were waiting before my signing – they weren’t sure.”
Toure managed 79 goals and 50 assists in 316 appearances across all competitions for City before leaving last summer as a free agent.
The 35-year-old is being linked with a move to Scottish Premiership champions Celtic after leaving Greek side Olympiakos in December.