Manchester City are poised to sign Wilfried Bony this month, after Swansea City accepted an initial offer of £25million for the striker.
The Ivory Coast international, who is currently away with his country at the African Cup of Nations, has established himself as one of the most prolific goalscorers in England since arriving at the Liberty Stadium in the summer of 2013 for a fee of £12million. Bony has scored 34 goals in 70 matches in all competitions for the Swans, and 20 league goals in the 2014 calendar year.
He has made no secret in the past of his desire to test his quality in the UEFA Champions League, and rumours of a move to the Etihad Stadium began last month. It soon transpired that the reigning Premier League champions had indeed been in touch with Swansea about the possibility of taking the 26-year-old, and it has now been reported that an agreement has been reached.
It is understood City will pay an initial £25million for Bony, although this could rise to £28million depending on how well he fares in Manchester. It is believed the former Vitesse Arnhem man will sign a four-and-a-half year contract worth around £100,000, and he will now join Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic as central attacking options for Manuel Pellegrini.
“Last season we had four strikers, and the four strikers were useful to win the title,” the Chilean coach has said. “You cannot say that because you are bringing in another striker you are going to win. But it’s important to analyse and I assure you that we need a fourth striker that we are bringing in. If that striker will help we suppose we are going to be a strong squad with him.”
Bony will also likely be named in City’s Champions League squad for the remainder of the competition, which will resume with a two-legged last-16 clash with Barcelona. As he missed Swansea’s 6-2 win at Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup last weekend, he will also be eligible for this competition, and he will of course play his part as the Blues look to retain the league title they won last May.
Is this a good signing for City, and how will he fit into Pellegrini’s plans? Let us know what you think by joining in the discussion below.
