Manchester City have been shocked by the news that Yaya Toure looks likely to leave the club in the summer, if a new contract is not agreed by the end of this week.
Toure was one of the standout players for City during their English Premier League title run last year and is widely considered as one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the world.
Toure, however, is not happy about the fact that talks over a new contract have stalled, with absolutely no signs of progress for six months.
The 29-year-old's agent Dimitri Seluk categorically said his client would wave goodbye to the club at the end of the season, if a new contract was not agreed upon by Saturday.
"If he signs a contract in the next three or four days, OK," Seluk told The Sun. "If not, we will not wait any longer and will start negotiations with different clubs.
"Today is Tuesday, so it means by Saturday. We will say 'Thank you. OK, Yaya will leave in May.'"
Seluk added the problem was not about money, but it was a lack of respect being shown by the Premier League champions. Toure is currently one of the highest earning members of the club, making a cool £220,000 a week ($332,000).
"I do not feel he will stay at City," he said. "This is not about money. He wants to leave because of many reasons.
"He is one of the best players at Manchester City but does not feel the respect of the staff. Only Roberto Mancini respects Yaya."
"It's all strange. It's not normal to have negotiations for six months about a contract.
"They have been talking about small details all this time."
Seluk said if owner Sheikh Mansour were to intervene it might persuade Toure to stay, but hinted even that might not be enough. "Maybe if the owner speaks to Yaya, maybe he doesn't know the details," Seluk added."
Toure, even though he will turn 30 in May, will still be a wanted man were he to be made available, with several of the big-name clubs sure to put in a bid for the midfielder.
Among English Premier League teams, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal will be keeping an eye on developments and an offer might be forthcoming if the impasse fails to cede by May.
