Arsenal target Yaya Toure is too expensive says agent

Toure has long been linked with a move to the Premier League (GETTY IMAGES)

The agent of Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure says the Catalan club are asking for too much money for the Ivory Coast international.

Toure looks set to leave the Nou Camp this summer and has been strongly linked with Manchester City, while a deal with Arsenal has also been mentioned as part of a part-exchange for Cesc Fabregas.

But Toure's agent Dimitri Seluk says neither move is close to happening due to Barca's excessive demands.

"The problem is that Barca are asking for too much money because Yaya's demands are totally within reach of the clubs that want to sign him. The problem is what Barca are asking for," he said in quotes published today by Sport.

Seluk, meanwhile, hopes his player will join Chelsea.

"I would prefer him to play for Chelsea because they are a very strong team who have been in the elite for many years and who always aspire to be the best, but they won't pay so much money," he said.

Toure is currently preparing for the World Cup with the Ivory Coast and Seluk believes an agreement is now unlikely before the African side begin their campaign against Portugal next week.

"Yaya is concentrating on the World Cup and I am sure he is going to play an important part. As things stand, it is possible there is no definitive agreement before the World Cup," he said.

"The ball is in Barcelona's court."