Soccer:Manchester City defender Kolo Toure believes former Arsenal team-mate Robin van Persie would boost their chances of winning the Champions League if he opted for a move to the Etihad Stadium.

City had been linked with the Holland international even before he announced on Wednesday he would not be extending his contract, which has a year to run, with the Gunners.

Having played with him at Arsenal, Toure is well aware of what Van Persie can offer a side and would welcome him at City.

"Robin is a top player. I've played with him, I know him and he's a great man," the centre-back is reported as saying by the Manchester Evening News. "At City we have great players and the club does what it wants in transfers. But for me, if Robin comes it's great because I know what he can do.

"You have to build your squad every year to do better; to win the Champions League is very difficult as we have seen."