Swansea City record signing Wilfried Bony has underlined his ambition of playing UEFA Champions League football in the near future.
The Côte d’Ivoire international, who joined the Swans from Dutch Eredivisie side Vitesse Arnhem for £12 million last summer, has been on scintillating goal-scoring form in recent weeks, fueling speculation linking him with a quick-fire exit from the Liberty Stadium.
The 25-year-old talisman has netted six goals in his last eight English Premier League starts — including a brace against Aston Villa last weekend, which guaranteed Swansea a place in England’s top-flight next term.
“I want to be in a bigger club, like all young players dream,” Bony told Sky Sports News’ Weekend Warm-Up.
“So, for me, it is very important to keep doing well what I am doing now and just try to get the chance, and if the chance comes to me then it is up to the club to decide.
“All I can say is that I’m very happy here to be playing in Europe again. If you win something you always want to do more, always pushing yourself.
“I want to do Champions League now. I want to play more European games, so I feel like that because you feel it is good to play against the big teams. It is good to check your level.”
According to reports, two ‘bigger’ clubs — Arsenal and Everton — are interested in signing Bony when the transfer window re-opens in the summer.
The Case: Arsenal
Arsenal boss Arsenal Wenger has been forced to overplay Olivier Giroud due to a lack of viable first-team strike options this season.
Aside from Giroud, Lukas Podolski, Nicklas Bendtner and Yaya Sanogo are the Gunners’ only strike options, and with Bendtner’s deal set to expire at the end of the season, you can expect Wenger to add at least one more target man to his squad.
The Case: Everton
Now then, as for Everton, a bid to sign Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku will likely fail, as the Toffees face stiff competition for the signature of the Belgian sensation.
There is no doubt Bony would be a more-than-capable replacement for Lukaku but Everton will be playing in the UEFA Europa League — not the Champions League — in 2014/15.
Add in the fact that Bony would cost a fee in excess of £12 million and it seems increasingly unlikely that the Ivorian will sign for Everton in the summer.
A more cost effective option would be Standard de Liège hotshot Michy Batshuayi, who is being monitored by a number of English clubs, including Arsenal, Everton, Swansea and West Ham United.
Where will Bony ply his trade next season?
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