Brendan Rodgers aiming to take Kolo Toure to Celtic

Former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is hoping to bring Kolo Toure to new club Celtic, according to reports on Sunday.

The Ulsterman took charge at Parkhead in May, having had a break from management following his sacking by the Reds last October.

Rodgers has been linked with a number of former players already, including Joe Allen and Andre Wisdom, and it now appears that Toure is very much on his radar.

The Scottish Daily Mail report that Rodgers sees the 35-year-old as someone who can significantly bolster Celtic’s back-line, as they prepare for another Scottish Premier League title charge and Champions League football in 2016/17.

With Jozo Simunovic and Dedryck Boyata both out of Celtic’s Champions League qualifiers next month, Rodgers is well aware that additions are needed at centre-back as soon as possible.

Toure was released by Liverpool at the end of the season, following three years at Anfield, and it may be that a new challenge in a new country would appeal.

The Ivorian would bring an undoubted winning mentality to the Scottish giants, with multiple honours won throughout an illustrious career.

It is believed that Liverpool considered the idea of offering the former Arsenal and Man City man a coaching role at the club, but he is not ready to retire as a player just yet.

Toure made 71 appearances for the Reds in total, and proved to be an enormously popular figure among both teammates and supporters.

The veteran always gave his all on the pitch, and despite age creeping up on him last season, he produced some exceptional performances in the absence of Mamadou Sakho.

His only Liverpool goal came in the 6-0 win over Aston Villa in February – a memorable moment for anyone associated with the Reds.

Liverpool Stalwart Kolo Touré Could Join Chinese Revolution

Liverpool defender Kolo Touré could be set to finish his career in China, reports the ​Express on Thursday. 

The Ivorian's contract expires on 1 July, and is unlikely to be offered an extension, with Reds manager Jurgen Klopp planning a busy summer. At least one club from the Chinese Super League is said to be ready to pounce should the former Manchester City player not agree a new deal.

Touré, 35, was signed by former manager Brendan Rodgers in 2013, but had fallen down the pecking order by the time Klopp replaced Rodgers last October. 

Mamadou Sakho's ban for failing an anti-doping test in April led to Touré playing a key role during the season's run-in as Liverpool reached the Europa League final, but with the Frenchman likely to be back by the beginning of the new season, and with the signing of Schalke defender Joel Matip already in place, Touré's days at Liverpool look numbered. 

Speaking to the Express about his future, the former Arsenal star said, "I don't know to be honest. We will see what will happen and you will have to ask that question to the manager".

"Of course I want to stay. It's a great club to play in, but the manager has his plan and any decision I will respect".

Touré's future has been the subject of many a discussion, with Rangers manager Mark Warburton reportedly interested in adding him to the newly promoted Scottish club's squad for next season. 

A move to the Far East, however, is likely to be extremely lucrative and represents the chance to play in one of the emerging powerhouses of global football.

In the last transfer window alone, clubs in China spent £208m on international players, with stars such as Porto's Jackson Martinez, Alex Teixeira of Shakhtar Donetsk, and Roma winger Gervinho amongst those making big money moves.