Toure wants Arsenal move

Barcelona star Yaya Toure admits it "would be fantastic" to join older brother Kolo at Arsenal next season.

The 25-year-old was one of the few, along with Lionel Messi, to enjoy a good season at Barca in a disappointing campaign that saw the Catalan club end the year empty-handed yet again.

But with a new coach in Josep Guardiola and a grand-scale clearout proposed at the Nou Camp Toure told www.lequipe.fr: "I am conscious of interest from certain Premier League clubs. I can't say anything for the moment, but it's true that it would be great to play for a big club with my brother. That would be fantastic, but you never know."

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is reportedly ready to table a 13million euro bid for Toure - a player whose skills he is well aware of.

The Ivory Coast midfielder had a pre-season trial at Arsenal, but failed to seal a permanent move and joined Olympiacos in summer 2005 instead.

The Gunners did make an offer of seven million euros in January 2006 which the Greek side rejected, preferring to wait until the end of the season.

However, while Toure would love to link up with his brother he also professed his admiration for new Barca boss Guardiola - a player he models himself on.

"We had a very difficult season and it was very hard for us, because we are winners in spirit," Toure added. "We have so many talented players, I can't understand how we are so far from Real Madrid.

"Guardiola was one of my favourite players. He is a leader of the game who plays just in front of the defence and he played football how it should be played. I loved watching him when I was learning my skill."