Manchester City playmaker Yaya Toure has said that he does not understand why many football players sacrifice high class football for more cash in China.

The 33-year old African rejected a move to China in January for a whooping £430,000 per week.

Toure says he wants to pay top level football for as long as possible, sharing the same rare determination as Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Ibrahimovic moved to Old Trafford last summer and has renewed his deal for another year when he could have cashed in if he agreed to a move to China.

Chelsea lost one of their best players Oscar who decided to move to China despite being at the peak of his career. The 25-year old Brazil international joined Chinese Super League outfit Shanghai SIPG for £60 million and with amazing personal benefits.

Toure has opened up on his ambition to remain in Europe if Pep Guardiola releases him from his contract which is due to lapse this summer.

“Me? No. I’m still looking young, right? I want to play in Europe, especially in England. I want to continue doing that for a few years yet. I always say that if I went to China I would end up feeling angry there. Do you play football or do you play because you want to make money?” Toure said.

Toure added that he played the game because he enjoyed it very much hence his resolve to keep competing at the highest level.
“Look at my friend Ibrahimovic. He’s 35 and he’s going to play for maybe three more years? He’s got the same mentality as me. He’s a big player, a champion who loves football. It’s football first.

Anything after that is a bonus. You can be lucky to go and play for big clubs and still earn a lot of money. But those who go to China? I don’t think like that,” Toure added.