Yaya Toure has ended speculation linking him with a move away from Manchester City, saying he wants to the stay at the club and help the team win major titles.
The Ivorian was strongly linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium following the 2014/15 season, with Italian club Internazionale seen as a likely destination.
However, Toure’s agent last week claimed the reigning African Player of the Year would be remaining with City and the 32-year-old has now broken his silence on the matter, telling the Manchester Evening News: “I will definitely stay. The fans don’t have to be worried.
“My target this year is to try to do everything possible to make this team improve well and I am sure with my experience, maybe I hope, with the players coming in a couple of weeks, a couple of months, definitely it is going to be a strong City next year.”
Toure wants to see the Citizens reclaim their Premier League title from Chelsea, as well as challenge for the UEFA Champions League.
“It is one of my big targets because City have been in the shadow of United for so long,” he said.
“Sometimes their fans are coming back, saying we are the top because we have already won the Champions League.
“What I want for the fans is the Champions League. I will do everything that’s possible.”
Toure added that he is hoping to come back refreshed for the 2015/16 season, having had no break from football for some time.
“I am looking at next season and I will start working again, because last season there has been a lot of football for me,” said Toure, who played in the 2014 World Cup and helped the Elephants win the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.
He also had to deal with the loss of his brother Ibrahim to cancer last year.
“There were difficult moments as well emotionally and physically. Now is a good time to rest and next season you are going to see the top one.”