Laporta believes Yaya Toure will stay at Barcelona

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has told Yaya Toure he will not be allowed to leave the club despite his lack of playing time.

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Yaya Toure is believed to be seeking a move

Toure signed a new contract at Camp Nou in the summer but is believed to be unhappy at having spent a significant part of the current campaign on the bench. He has been linked to a number of Premier League sides in the past and his agent, Dimitri Seluk, revealed this week that the defensive midfielder would consider moving to England.

Seluk said: "If a team like Chelsea or Manchester United would come to us, we are obviously open to talking without any kind of problem.

"Yaya won't just sit and wait. He is 26 years old and is nominated for the Golden Ball award. It is ridiculous for a player like this not to be playing."

However, Laporta insists he is not worried about Seluk's comments and says he expects the player to remain at Barca long-term.

"I am convinced that Yaya Toure will be a Barca player for many years and we have not decided to sell," he said. "The kid offers big performances for the team and I am personally a fan of Toure.

"The quotes are normal because he is a first-class player who wants more playing time. Toure is wanted by the coaches. I am not preoccupied by the quotes of the agent. He has also issued warnings at other times, but the footballer is still here."