Wednesday, 29th May, 2013
Wilfried Bony’s agent has revealed that his client could have joined Chelsea in the January transfer window, had it not been for his involvement in the African Cup of Nations.
The prolific Ivorian currently turns out for Dutch Eredivisie club Vitesse, a side for which he fired home 31 goals in just 30 league games this season.
Heading to South Africa at the start of the year to take part in the African Cup of Nations for the Ivory Coast did nothing to affect Bony’s rhythm in front of goal.
It did though scupper a potential move to Chelsea, his agent Dalibor Lacina has explained.
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"He could have gone to Chelsea in January, but he was busy with the African Cup of Nations and they focused on other players", the agent told Tutto Mercato.
Bony is expected to be on the move this summer, with fierce interest in his services from clubs in Russia, while he has also continued to be linked with several English Premier League sides.
Lacina also revealed that Italy is a potential destination, including Napoli, although it remains to be seen how the appointment of Rafael Benitez at the Serie A club will affect their recruitment policy.
"Inter and Napoli have expressed an interest, but with the arrival of Benitez we’ll have to see what happens", he said.
Bony’s contract with Vitesse runs until 2015, but the striker is eager for a new challenge.
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