Wednesday, 22nd May, 2013
Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala are now believed to be favourites to acquire the services of Vitesse centre-forward Wilfried Bony, according to Dutch media heavyweights Omroep Gelderland.
Bony has been a key figure in Fred Rutten's squad this season, scoring a total 37 goals in 36 appearances for the Eredivisie side and powering a title tilt.
Such prolific talent is bound to attract interest from Europe's elite. Indeed, a host of English clubs are hotly in pursuit of Bony, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United all having been strongly linked with making a move for the player, who has insisted he can become the "new Didier Drogba".
The Ivory Coast international then went on to express his interest in playing in England, adding that a move to the Premier League could only be "perfect" – a declaration that intensified speculation on his future.
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But now it is believed that Anzhi have pushed themselves into pole position to sign the striker after coach Guus Hiddink was seen in Arnhem, the purpose of his visit being to broker a deal for Bony.
Furthermore, Vitesse are all but confirming the development, with their director Erwin Kasakowski going on air to say that the discussions between them and Anzhi have become "serious".
Bony's contract with Vitesse sees him tied at the GelreDome until the end of the 2014/15 campaign.
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