Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has played down the importance of resolving Kolo Toure’s contractual situation.
The Ivorian international’s current deal expires at the end of the season, and, as of yet, the Premier League champions have made no serious moves to extend his stay at the Etihad Stadium.
First-team opportunities were limited for the 32-year-old during the opening months of the campaign, but with captain Vincent Kompany absent through injury, Toure has forced his way back into Mancini’s plans.
Some solid performances at the heart of City’s back-line have prompted speculation that he may be offered a new one-year contract.
But, when asked by Sky Sports about the centre-back’s future, the Italian was cagey:
“We don’t know at this moment. What is important is that he continues to play the way he did on Monday night and against Chelsea.” He said
“Kolo is a really professional player and deserves to have the satisfaction of those performances. He has done really well and we will see. I am happy for him because he is a good guy.”
Toure arrived at City during 2009, in a £16m deal from Arsenal, during an era when the club were spending vast sums to force themselves into the top four.
Initially a first-team regular, the defender lost his spot in the squad with the arrivals of big name players, and has struggled for game time in recent seasons.
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