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Where is the love? Colwyn Bay offer Yaya Touré lifeline after Manchester City happy birthday ‘snub’

Welsh minnows Colwyn Bay have offered Yaya Touré a lifeline after his agent claimed the midfielder was pondering his Manchester City future because the club snubbed him on his birthday.

Touré’s agent, Dimitry Seluk, claimed the Ivory Coast midfielder may leave Premier League champions this summer.

Seluk claims the club did not make Touré feel valued or appreciated by failing to honour the midfielder on his 31st birthday, which clashed celebrations in Abu Dhabi.

Seluk told The Sun: “There’s a big possibility Yaya will leave this summer. What happened at his birthday meant the club don’t care about him. It was proof.

“In a normal team, his team-mates and club would at least give him good wishes.”

Despite footage to the contrary, Seluk insists City’s refusal to acknowledge his client’s birthday means he is seriously pondering his future.

“He’s very upset and he started thinking of leaving the club. And he will leave if things carry on like this,” he added.

“It’s not a question of money or contract, believe me. He has everything he needs. For Yaya what is the most important thing is human relationships.

“When your best worker has his birthday from time to time it’s not bad to shake his hand. To make him feel valued and appreciated. They don’t give any attention to Yaya.”

The Irish bookmaker, Paddy Power questioned the validity of the claims after uncovering video footage of the City players singing happy birthday to their teammate.

Touré signed a new four-year deal with City last season, but this latest revelation will have put Europe’s top clubs on high-alert.

In a surprise move, Colwyn Bay FC are the first club to publicy reach out to the unsettled midfielder.

Speaking on their official Twitter page, the club wrote: “After hearing the news that Yaya Touré may leave Manchester City after having nobody wish him a happy birthday….

“……We would like to wish Yaya Toure a belated happy birthday from all your friends at Colwyn Bay Football Club.”

However it is unlikely Touré would step down to the Conference North to play for Colywn Bay, who would also struggle to match the Ivorian’s £250,000 per week wage demands.

If Touré does decide to leave, England’s top clubs will no doubt battle it out for the African Player of the Year.

The Ivorian has had many comparisons to Arsenal legend Patrick Viera over the course of his career, and many see Touré as the perfect fit to fill the Gooner legend’s boots.

The former Mirror Editor and CNN host Piers Morgan has told the industrious midfielder that he will always feel loved and appreciated if he were to join his beloved Arsenal.

Piers said: “I’d like to (belatedly) wish you a very happy birthday @Toure_yaya42 – and will happily do that every single day if you sign for us. #afc.”

Of course Manchester City fans will be hoping the box-to-box midfielder will remain with the newly-crowned champions.

His contribution of 20 Premier League goals went some way to securing their second title in three years, and his departure would leave a big hole in the side.

Comedian and life-long City fan Jason Manford assured the influential midfielder that he is at least loved by the fans.

He said: “Can I just say that before the league win celebrations, I saw Yaya Toure & wished him happy birthday. So if he does leave, it’s not on me.”

Image courtesy of Carl Recine, with thanks.

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