Chelsea and Liverpool keen on Bony; Defoe rubbishes exit talk

Premier League powerhouses Chelsea and Liverpool are reportedly interested in Vitesse Arnhem forward Wilfried Bony, according to the player’s representative Dalibor Lacina.

Both Chelsea and Liverpool are in need of another striker ahead of the January transfer window, with the out-of-form Fernando Torres and the in-form Luis Suarez the only striking options for Rafa Benítez and Brendan Rodgers at their respective clubs.

Bony, who is under contract at the GelreDome until the summer of 2015, is currently the top scorer in the Dutch Eredivisie with 15 goals in just 13 appearances.

With Sturridge and Torres struggling to find the back of the net and Romelu Lukaku on loan at West Bromwich Albion, a move to Chelsea might suit the Côte d’Ivoire international.

However, the 23-year-old striker might have better luck getting into the Reds’ starting XI at the moment, especially with Fabio Borini out injured and Andy Carroll on a season-loan loan at newly promoted West Ham United.

“Liverpool are one of the clubs who have been considering him,” Lacina told isport.blesk.cz. “We have been in touch with them.

“Liverpool need a striker to increase their scoring productivity but, on the other hand, it does not mean we are in talks with them. They are just one of the suitors.

“It is clear that Bony has attracted interest thanks to his good performances and scoring efficiency and one of the clubs interested as well are Chelsea.

“It is in the hands of Vitesse whether they agree with Bony’s departure or not. They are at the top of the Dutch league and particularly after the win at PSV there is euphoria in the city.

“Vitesse have certain ambitions and it would be difficult for them to see Bony go. If I had to give my opinion on whether he leaves in January, I see it as 50-50.”

Liverpool have also been linked with Bony’s compatriot, FC Anzhi Makhachkala striker Lacina Traore, who bagged a goal on his international debut against Austria at the Linzer Stadium on 14 November.

Defoe rubbishes exit talk

Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe has rubbished reports suggesting that he is reuniting with Harry Redknapp at Queens Park Rangers in January, Sky Sports understands.

Defoe, 30, has netted seven league goals for Spurs this season, tying him with Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini for the fifth highest output in the English Premier League.

The England international has teamed up with Redknapp on three prior occasions, fueling speculation that the in-form striker could be on his way to Loftus Road.

With that said, Defoe — who is very much first-choice at Spurs, at least at the moment — has little incentive to move to bottom-of-the-table Queens Park Rangers at this stage in his career, and he has confirmed exactly that.

“That’s not going to happen. I’m not leaving Tottenham, I love the club and to score goals at a big club like this is fantastic,” Defoe told Sky Sports News.

“If the opportunity comes to leave the club it won’t be happening. I don’t want to leave, I’m a Spurs player – and I’m happy. I’d like to finish my career at Tottenham. I want to achieve something special here – it’s a great time to be at the club.”