This deal is moving very quickly, as Manchester City are once again flexing their supreme financial muscles.
Swansea City striker Wilfried Bony is edging close to a move to the reigning Premier League champions, according to the BBC, as the Citizens are in advanced talks with Swansea over the transfer of the Ivory Coast international.
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Bony, 26, only signed a contract extension with the Swans in November 2014 but after scoring nine goals in 20 PL appearances this season the powerful forward has jumped onto the radars of some of Europe’s biggest teams. But City seemed to have jumped to the front of the queue as Bony has jetted off to the African Cup of Nations, but may return to Europe in two to three weeks as a Manchester City player.
With 20 goals in 2014, he led the Premier League in total goals scored and on New Year’s Day he was left on the bench by Swansea’s boss Garry Monk, before Bony came on late in the game to score an equalizer which could turn out to be his last for the South Wales outfit.
Since joining Swansea at the start of the 2013-14 Premier League season from Vitesse Arnhem in the Eredivisie for $18 million, Bony has been a revelation.
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His calm finishing, terrific aerial ability and strong hold up play has seen him take to the PL like a duck to water and now a chance to help spearhead City towards a second-straight PL title and a deep run in the UEFA Champions League seems to be on the cards as his meteoric rise continues. City’s striking department has been depleted in recent weeks with injuries to top scorer Sergio Aguero, Stevan Jovetic and Edin Ddzeko forcing Manuel Pellrgini to play a false nine formation with midfielder James Milner up front.
If City manage to pull of this monster deal for Bony, it could be a pivotal factor in seeing off Chelsea and winning their second-straight PL title. This guy is coolness personified in the box and if he is given the type of chances that City’s playmakers Samir Nasri, David Silva and others create in their sleep, then Bony is capable of scoring 20 plus goals every season. The way he finds space in the box and his sharp movement means he is a pure poacher who will thrive from the glut of chances City create.
Bony put Swansea 1-0 up at the Etihad Stadium in November before City rallied back for the win, but he obviously impressed Pellegrini on that day. The fact that he is not cup-tied in the UEFA Champions League means that he can help City right away in all competitions, unlike many of Europe’s other top forwards who have already played in the UCL this campaign.
When you weigh up everything, this is a great deal for Swansea (who are almost tripling the fee they splashed out over 18 months ago) while City are getting a proven PL goalscorer who fits in with their way of playing.
Now, let’s see if the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and others are ready to challenge City for Bony’s signature. The Ivorian could become the hottest property in the January transfer window.