'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Reports suggest that Manchester City are in talks with Swansea City over the transfer of Ivorian striker Wilfried Bony. Swansea manager Garry Monk has made it clear that he will not take anything less than £30 million for the club to part with possibly their biggest asset. Bony is currently the top scorer for Swansea with 9 goals in 14 appearances.
The Ivorian was also linked with Chelsea earlier this week and other Premier League clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham. Amidst all the interest, Manchester City officials have already made the first move to clinch the transfer.
With City challenging Chelsea for the Premier League, added fire-power in the form of Bony would be a welcome addition, and would only help the Blues in their quest to retain their title.
Bony signed a contract extension at Swansea in November, which got rid of the £20 million release clause in his earlier deal. A higher fee should not be a big deal for a club with the means that Manchester City possess.
The 26 year old, who was the top scorer in the calendar year 2014 in the Premier League, is currently at the African Cup of Nations and his transfer is expected to happen on his return. The striker is expected to receive a four year deal with wages in the range of £100,000 a week from Manchester City.
City were hit with a financial cap of £49 million due to their violation of the Financial Fairplay regulations in the summer, and this piece of business will probably be their last for the season. What will also be interesting is how Pellegrini will fit Bony in the Champions League squad, and whether the striker will be able to make it at that level.
