New Delhi: According to multiple news sources, Arsenal's Ivorian international Kolo Toure has handed in a transfer request. Chairman Peter Hill-Wood has rebuffed the request.
The winter window has begun in dramatic fashion as reports surfacing on Thursday indicate that Toure has handed in a transfer request.
The defender is alleged to be feeling perturbed at falling down the pecking order, as he was an unused substitute during the drab 1-0 victory over Portsmouth last Sunday, while Swiss centre half Johan Djourou has been seen as the preferable partner for former captain William Gallas.
Multiple news sources such as the Daily Record, Daily Star, and Sky Sports, have stated that Toure has been told by Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood that under no circumstances will his request be accepted.
Strained Relationships
The Daily Star quote a "souce close to Toure" as saying: "Kolo doesn’t want to stay – he cannot stand Gallas and Gallas cannot stand him.
"Gallas is showing him complete disrespect and Kolo believes he’s been mouthing off to Wenger about them not being able to play together and Wenger is listening to him."
Upon William Gallas' arrival at the club he found an instant ally in centre back partner Kolo, but that relationship has soured since. Toure was an 'invincible,' yet when Thierry Henry left north London for Barcelona, the Toure was overlooked for the captaincy in favour of the former Chelsea defender.
More recently, following the Red and White army's relinquishing of a two goal cushion over Aston Villa, a testing row was said to have erupted between the pair. This, combined with Manchester City's interest, could be the catalyst for Toure wanting out.
Hill-Wood even told the Daily Mail: "I know about it [the request] but we are not going to accept it. We are not looking to let any of our players go and he is under contract – and we expect him to honour it."
He added: "They seem to get unhappy rather quickly for odd reasons."
Financing Transfers
Although Toure provides Arsenal with great experience, and is a proven winner, boss Arsene Wenger may be keen to sell in order to bolster his own transfer funds.
Key midfielders such as Zenit's Andrei Arshavin, Udinese' Gokhan Inler, and Everton's Mikel Arteta, have all been identified in the press as viable solutions while influential playmaking midfielder Cesc Fabregas remains in the treatment room, and the sale of Toure for an estimated £10 million could go a long way in financing a bid for one of the aforementioned players.
Goal.com reported on Wednesday that Kolo Toure could be leaving Arsenal, with Wenger recruiting Papa Diakhate as a replacement.
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