Manchester City will not open talks with Yaya Toure over a new contract until next summer, Goal.com can reveal.
Representatives of the key midfielder are believed to be pushing for a fresh deal as speculation mounts that the 29-year-old could possibly leave Etihad Stadium next summer.
But sources have told Goal.com that City chiefs will not be rushed into giving Toure an extension to his current five-year agreement, which runs until 2015.
The Ivory Coast international is already in the top bracket of City earners, receiving a basic £150,000-a-week (€186,000) rising to £220,000-a-week (€272,000) including bonuses.
The Premier League champions are mindful Toure will be 32 when his contract expires and will not be panicked into giving him an improved contract even though he is a cornerstone of Roberto Mancini's team.
David Silva and Vincent Kompany have both signed fresh deals this season, of five and six years respectively, but both players had been lagging behind Toure, Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez in the salary stakes at Etihad Stadium.
It is understood next summer is regarded as the earliest possible time City officials will look at opening contract re-negotiations with Toure's advisers.
His main representative, Dimitri Seluk, has a track record of linking his star client with Europe's elite clubs.
Less than 48 hours after City won the Premier League in May, Seluk went on Spanish radio to say his client might leave last summer.
Seluk said: "Toure has done all he can do at City and needs new motivations. He would like a new challenge. He would not cost much.
"He could sign for many big clubs, like Chelsea or Bayern Munich. We would like to see Barcelona join the race."
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Chimdindu Nweke
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