While Real Madrid and Barcelona have made the headlines, Manchester City is quietly assembling a pretty lethal squad (think Gareth Barry, Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor to name a few…)  with Kolo Toure being the latest to join Mark Hughes’ squad after Arsenal accepted a 15 Million Pound bid and the Ivory Coast International agreed to personal terms.

Via DailyMail

The 28-year-old has agreed personal terms of around £120,000 per week — doubling his wages at Arsenal. He is expected to be unveiled later this week and could even figure in Saturday’s friendly at Barnsley.

His signing ends a nine-month pursuit by City manager Mark Hughes who first earmarked the Ivory Coast centre half back in November. Toure is one of three defenders Hughes wants to bring in as he re-assesses his targets following Terry’s decision to stay at Chelsea.

Toure’s capture is still seen as a significant step forward by City’s hierarchy. Despite an indifferent past season he was viewed as a key member of Arsenal’s squad and his departure from the Emirates, so quick on the heels of that of Emmanuel Adebayor, seriously weakens another of City’s rivals for a place in the Premier League top four.

Toure asked to be placed on the transfer list in January after a bust-up with fellow defender William Gallas. City made several attempts to sign him but in the end decided to shelve their efforts until the summer.Image via TheSun