Yaya Toure says Manchester City's goal is to reach the level of Real Madrid, Barcelona

Yaya Toure believes Manchester City still has plenty of growing up to do.

The 32-year-old midfielder and Ivory Coast international said that while Manchester City may be a big club on the rise, his team isn't quite at the level of some of Europe's older, more established teams.

“The target of the club is to reach the kind of level of Real Madrid and Barcelona," Toure told reporters. "The manager and the chairman are working really hard, although the market is not so easy. The most important thing is that the club tries to improve. If we’re doing well at Man City it’s a sure thing that a couple of good players will come."

Despite his side spending freely since being taken over by Sheikh Mansour in 2009, Toure says it still needs to bring in better players in order to remain competitive with the Spanish giants.

“At Barcelona they have that quality of player," Toure explained. "We have young players coming through and what we have to do is keep working hard and believe the chairman can bring quality players to the squad."

Manchester City struggled to perform consistently last season, faltering before conceding the English Premier League title to Chelsea. But it's a fresh start as the 2015-16 season fast approaches, and Toure wants to bring the club back to the top of the standings.

“This year will be a massive challenge for us," Toure said. "We need to bounce back this year and to support our fans - they have supported us for long years and we want to make them proud.”

Will Toure be there to see any such comeback, though? His future at the club was in doubt at the start of the summer window, but Sheikh Mansour reportedly told him he must stay with Manchester City, a request the player says is just fine with him.

“I have my contract and want to see the end of my contract. That is all," Toure said. "I have been at City for five years and have always been criticised for what I am doing. I always try to be at my best, and sometimes it is not easy. Now I am looking forward. The manager has a lot of trust and confidence in me.

“I am 32 years old and can play until 40."