The Ivory Coast international had been linked with a move away from Manchester after the arrival of Pep Guardiola. But the new City boss – who previously managed, and sold, Toure at Barcelona – has hinted that the midfielder is a part of his plans for the new Premier League season.

And former City boss Mancini has dismissed the possibility of being reunited with Toure at Inter.

Premier League Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure charged with drink driving 03/12/2016 AT 17:59

“I can say that he’s still one of the best midfielders in the world, but now I think there’s no hope of seeing him with us,” Mancini said after Inter’s preseason friendly with CSKA Sofia.

Roberto Mancini has been an admirer of Yaya Toure since his time as Man City boss Image credit: Reuters

OUR VIEW

Mancini loves Yaya Toure. We know this because he won’t stop going on about the guy. But Toure isn’t the solution to Inter’s creativity problem and it’s good news for the Italian club if their manager has been denied the transfer he apparently desires above all others.

It has been interesting, however, to hear Guardiola talk up Toure since his Man City appointment. The player doesn’t seem to fit with the manager’s style, but then Pep will need squad depth to compete on all fronts, so keeping a player of Toure’s quality around does make sense in that respect.

There’s been a surprising lack of transfer activity at City this summer too – since the arrival of Ilkay Gundogan – meaning that Toure is still in the mix for a regular starting spot. But more players will surely arrive to push him down the pecking order by the end of the summer.