Although the domestic campaigns across Europe's biggest leagues have just ended, that has not prevented this summer's edition of silly season--also known as the transfer window--to start off with a bang.
Agents of footballers who ply their trades both across the continent and abroad have already started running their mouths to every press outlet willing to listen. Of course, this is all with the intent of drumming up interest in their clients or wrangling a pay raise out of their present clubs.
However, this story is by far the strangest that has been seen so far this year.
Despite being an integral part of this year's Premier League winning side, Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure is apparently feeling quite aggrieved. The reason? His employers forgot to properly acknowledge the 31-year-old Ivorian on his birthday.
All's not well in Manchester? Toure is believed to have felt slighted by his club
Here's how Manchester City celebrated the Ivorian turning the big 3-1 via Twitter:
It's my party, and I'll cry if I want to? Toure's agent claimed that the midfielder may depart the Etihad due to birthday snub
Toure's agent, Dmitri Seluk ranted whilst on talkSPORT: "If you ask [whether it's a] 100 percent or 50-50 [chance that Toure will stay], [it is more] 50-50 than 100."
Furthermore, he pointed out that "It's not about money, but [rather] about the relationship...this is very important because he fights for Man City but he fights for Man City and they don't fight for him. He is very upset."
Contradictory? Despite claiming it's no big deal, Toure still hints at a possible departure this summer...
Thanks for all the birthday messages today. Card from City just arrived... Must have got lost in the post. Haha
— yaya toure (@Toure_yaya42) May 20, 2014
Everything dimitry said is true . He speaks for me . I will give an interview after world cup to explain
— yaya toure (@Toure_yaya42) May 20, 2014
...but here's the player receiving a cake on the team's plane to Abu Dhabi with the club crest
