Internazionale say they are closing in on Manchester City’s Yaya Touré

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/20/internazionale-yaya-toure-manchester-city

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Internazionale’s vice-president, Javier Zanetti, claims they are close to the signing of the Manchester City midfielder Yaya Touré.

The Ivory Coast international is likely to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer after five years with the club.

Inter, coached by the former City manager Roberto Mancini, are keen to acquire the 32-year-old. Zanetti, asked about the negotiations, told Gazzetta dello Sport: “We are at the stage where we hope we can complete it. Yaya would give us that leap in quality.”

Zanetti also revealed Inter want to bring the Paris St-Germain midfielder Thiago Motta back to the San Siro. The Italy international played three seasons for Inter before joining PSG in 2012. “If Motta were to arrive, he could give so much,” Zanetti said. “He knows the club, he has experience, quality and is one of the strongest midfielders that I have ever played with. He is very intelligent. To bring players like them would give us that leap in quality.”

Touré, who is reportedly City’s highest earner on around £220,000 a week, has scored 10 goals in 28 Premier League appearances this season. The former Barcelona midfielder signed a four-year contract with City in April 2013.

Motta is out of contract at PSG this summer and has made 24 league appearances for the Ligue 1 champions.

Inter have endured a disappointing season but are hoping to qualify for next season’s Europa League. The Nerazzurri are eighth in the standings, four points adrift of Genoa, who hold the last European qualifying spot with two games remaining.