Who brought Yaya Toure to Barcelona?
Yaya Toure, the Ivorian football superstar, had a remarkable career playing for various top clubs around the world. One of the most significant chapters of his journey was his time at FC Barcelona. But the question remains: who was responsible for bringing this exceptional talent to the Catalan giants?
The Man behind the Transfer
The man credited with bringing Yaya Toure to Barcelona is none other than Joan Laporta. Laporta served as the president of FC Barcelona from 2003 to 2010 and played a pivotal role in transforming the club into one of the most successful teams in history.
Laporta’s Vision
Under Laporta’s leadership, Barcelona had a clear vision of playing attractive and dominating football. He aimed to assemble a squad that not only possessed exceptional skills but also shared a common philosophy – tiki-taka, which emphasized possession-based football.
Yaya Toure’s Arrival
In 2007, Joan Laporta identified Yaya Toure as a perfect addition to Barcelona’s midfield. The Ivorian powerhouse possessed incredible physicality, versatility, and an excellent passing ability – traits that perfectly aligned with Barcelona’s style of play.
- Toure’s Impact: Yaya Toure played an instrumental role in Barcelona’s success during his three seasons at Camp Nou. His towering presence in midfield provided defensive stability while also contributing offensively.
- Tactical Flexibility: One of the key reasons why Laporta Targeted Toure was his versatility.
The Ivorian could play as a holding midfielder or even fill in as a center-back if required, providing tactical flexibility to then-manager Pep Guardiola.
- Champions League Triumph: Yaya Toure’s time at Barcelona was marked by tremendous success. In the 2008-09 season, he played a crucial part in Barcelona’s historic treble-winning campaign, which included winning La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League.
The Laporta-Toure Connection
Joan Laporta’s close ties with Yaya Toure’s agent, Dimitri Seluk, were instrumental in facilitating the transfer. Laporta and Seluk had a good working relationship and managed to negotiate a deal that brought the Ivorian to Barcelona from AS Monaco for a reported fee of around €10 million.
The Departure
Despite his significant contributions to Barcelona’s success, Yaya Toure’s journey at Camp Nou came to an end in 2010. His departure was primarily influenced by his desire for more playing time and a central role in midfield.
Ultimately, it was Joan Laporta’s foresight and footballing philosophy that led him to bring Yaya Toure to Barcelona. The Ivorian went on to leave an indelible mark on the club’s history and became an integral part of one of the greatest teams ever assembled.
In conclusion, it is safe to say that Joan Laporta played a crucial role in bringing Yaya Toure to FC Barcelona. His vision for the club, coupled with Toure’s exceptional abilities, resulted in a successful partnership that left a lasting legacy.