Manchester City striker Wilfried Bony has completed a loan move to Premier League side Stoke City.
The 27-year-old who has been maligned for most quarters since completing the £28 million move from Swansea City in the 2015 winter transfer window- has yet to feature for Pep Guardiola’s side this season, making the loan move as integral as it is timely.
Bony has been the subject of speculation with just a matter of hours left to the close of the summer transfer window, with the Potters considering him as a suitable alternative for Saido Berahino- whose move to the Britannia has seemingly hit a brick wall.
Early life
Born Wilfried Guemiand Bony on 10 December 2021 in Bingerville, Cote d’ivoire, he spent his entire youth career at the Cyrille Domoraud Academy.
Having begun his senior career with local side Issia Wzi in 2006, he moved to Europe two years later- with Sparta Prague being his preferred destination.
He joined Dutch side Vitesse in 2011, spending two years in the Eredivisie before being captured by Welsh side Swansea.
End of his time at the Etihad?
Sergio Aguero may face a three match ban by the Football Association following an alleged elbow on West Ham’s Winston Reid last weekend, that could consequently see him miss out on the upcoming Manchester derby immediately following the international break.
Be that as it may, the suspension may leave Pep Guardiola unfazed over sending Bony on loan, due to the presence of Spanish forward Nolito who signed from Celta Vigo this summer.
In my estimation, the season-long loan spell to Stoke is an indication that Wilfried Bony is considered surplus by the City boss, and could just be setting the pace for a permanent transfer next season.
Written by Brian Humphrey
Follow Brian on Twitter @brihum
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