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.