Manchester City defender Kolo Toure is in talks with Bursaspor over a move to Turkey.
Toure was a £16million arrival from Arsenal three years ago but has failed to recover a first-team spot since a six-month ban for failing a drugs test, blamed on his wife's slimming products.
The 31-year-old did make enough appearances to qualify for a Premier League title winner's medal last term as City ended their 44-year wait for the championship.
But with skipper Vincent Kompany and England's Joleon Lescott now established as manager Roberto Mancini's first-choice pairing, Toure is considering a move.
Bursaspor, where England goalkeeper Scott Carson is already on the books, have emerged as a suitor with manager Ertugrul Saglam claiming it would be a huge transfer for the club.
"We have been in talks with Kolo Toure over the past two days - it would be one of the most important transfers to be completed by an Anatolian side," Saglam told Dogan News Agency.
"Obviously nothing is certain until he signs pen to paper, however we are working hard to try finalise a deal."
Toure's exit would leave City with only Stefan Savic as specialist centre-back cover, although Micah Richards could switch to a central role.
While a replacement may come in, the departure of a big earner would help meet UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules at a time when the club is still looking to bring high-profile players in.
Toure was a £16million arrival from Arsenal three years ago but has failed to recover a first-team spot since a six-month ban for failing a drugs test, blamed on his wife's slimming products.
The 31-year-old did make enough appearances to qualify for a Premier League title winner's medal last term as City ended their 44-year wait for the championship.
But with skipper Vincent Kompany and England's Joleon Lescott now established as manager Roberto Mancini's first-choice pairing, Toure is considering a move.
Bursaspor, where England goalkeeper Scott Carson is already on the books, have emerged as a suitor with manager Ertugrul Saglam claiming it would be a huge transfer for the club.
"We have been in talks with Kolo Toure over the past two days - it would be one of the most important transfers to be completed by an Anatolian side," Saglam told Dogan News Agency.
"Obviously nothing is certain until he signs pen to paper, however we are working hard to try finalise a deal."
Toure's exit would leave City with only Stefan Savic as specialist centre-back cover, although Micah Richards could switch to a central role.
While a replacement may come in, the departure of a big earner would help meet UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules at a time when the club is still looking to bring high-profile players in.