Toure aiming to reclaim top spot



Manuel Pellegrini's side lost their title to Chelsea last season but Toure is confident, with a few new signings, they will be back to their best when the campaign kicks off in August.

"The club has been built to top this league and when we finish in second it is quite disappointing," he told CityTV.

"We want to bounce back

This club don't have to be second or third

We always have to finish first.

"We know it will be difficult because we have opponents like Chelsea, Arsenal, even Liverpool can do it, United will do it

"We have a lot of targets this year

The target this year is to make this club proud because last year was quite disappointing.

"For us the main key is to try to regain the title this year

It will be difficult but we know we can do it.

"We are looking forward to the new players coming to try to help the club and do something big for this club.

"We want to do something big this year

I hope maybe in a couple of days new players come and make this club a top team next year."

City have yet to make any additions to their squad as despite their best efforts to recruit Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling two bids, the last amounting to £40million, were rejected.

The Reds are holding out for £50million but that is a price City are unwilling to go to.

Similarly their interest in Juventus' former Manchester United academy graduate Paul Pogba has cooled because of his £70million price tag and reported wage demands of £250,000-a-week.

It is understood they have not yet ruled out moves for Aston Villa's Fabian Delph or Wolfsburg's Kevin de Bruyne.

Irrespective of who they bring in City will hope Toure rediscovers his top form again after a busy 12 months saw him play in the World Cup and African Nations Cup.

The 32-year-old admits he is not a fan of pre-season training but hopes his summer break will have given him the lift he needs.

Asked how his summer has been he said: "Not bad but I think most of all [it has been about] relaxing, trying to de-stress, to forget, to be focused for the next year and recharge all the batteries because after two or three years full of competition I needed this break.

"I don't like pre-season to be honest but we need it

The season is going to be long.

"I am very happy to be back and working

I am looking forward, the manager is looking forward and the club is looking forward."

Source : PA

Source: PA