Two Premier League clubs still want to complete the signing of Wilfried Bony before the end of the transfer window according to L’Equipe (quoted by Get French Football News), with Everton and West Ham United retaining their interest in the Ivorian striker who is surplus to requirements at City.
The striker has failed to adapt since arriving at the Etihad from Swansea City in January 2015, and has now fallen behind Kelechi Iheanacho and Nolito in the pecking order up-front under Pep Guardiola. Bony has been linked with moves away all summer, but a buyer is yet to materialise. Both The Toffees and The Hammers have been interested before, but either not moved or opted for alternatives instead.
West Ham recently broke their transfer record to bring in attacker Andre Ayew from Swansea, but both he and Andy Carroll have since picked up lengthy injuries, leading to Slaven Bilic heading back into the transfer market to find a new striker. As it stands, they only have Jonathan Calleri and Ashley Fletcher available, and could make a loan move (with an option to buy) for Bony while they wait for the recognised first-choices to return.
Meanwhile, it was suggested that for Everton Bony would represent a replacement for Romelu Lukaku, who was heavily linked with a move back to former club Chelsea earlier in August. The Belgian looks like he’s staying at Goodison Park for at least another year now, but regardless L’Equipe say Ronald Koeman is ready to finalise a €24 million (£20.5 million) move for the 27-year-old Ivorian international.
Some reports have suggested that Bony is set to complete a permanent move away from Manchester City in January, to one of the Chinese Super League clubs, when new £27m man Gabriel Jesus arrives from Palmeiras. If Everton or West Ham wanted to complete a deal to bring in Bony, they’d have to act fast before the window slams shut.
