Ivorian international defender Kolo Touré is reportedly in talks to join AS Roma by the end of the transfer window. Tensions with Manchester City leadership have escalated since the Community Shield final, where Touré watched from the sidelines.
Struggling to secure playing time with Manchester City, where he has become a luxury substitute, the former Gunner is seeking a new opportunity. Le Parisien reports that the 31-year-old Ivorian could find a new home at AS Roma, which is in search of an experienced central defender to mentor its young players.
Kolo Habib Touré began his career at the ASEC Abidjan training center in 1994 before catching the eye of Arsène Wenger, the coach of Arsenal. Wenger successfully recruited him to London, and on February 14, 2002, Kolo became the first Ivorian player to join Highbury. He made his debut against Liverpool during the Community Shield on August 11, 2002, and quickly established himself in the Gunners’ defense during his first season, playing 26 league matches. Over the following seasons, he became a regular starter for the London club, participating in the Champions League and reaching the final in 2006.
In the summer of 2009, Manchester City and Arsenal agreed on a compensation transfer of around €14 million, and Touré signed a four-year contract with a monthly salary of €417,000 or €5 million per season. As an indisputable starter, he played alongside Vincent Kompany in the central position. However, during the 2010-2011 season, Touré faced challenges, including a suspension on March 3, 2011, for using a banned substance, and eventually lost his place in the Citizens’ defense to Joleon Lescott.
