Talks planned for £25.6m striker targeted by Everton - reports

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Published on:

17 Aug 2016, 6:49 am

By Tom Blackburn

Besiktas president Fikret Orman is set to hold talks with Manchester City about the transfer of Wilfried Bony, according to a report.

Dutch publication Voetbal International claimed last Thursday that Everton are close to agreeing a £25.6million deal for the Ivory Coast striker.

Turkish outlet Fanatik now claim Turkish giants Besiktas have joined the race and senior official Orman is in London for business, where he will meet City representatives to discuss a deal for Bony.

Besiktas are the Turkish champions, finishing five points clear of Fenerbahce last season.

Arsenal are also said to be interested in the Ivorian, with attacking midfielder Alexis Sanchez asked to lead their line for the opening weekend 4-3 Premier League defeat to Liverpool.

The Daily Star claimed last week that they were set to make a £30million bid for Bony, and the latest report says Besiktas would not be able to match that.

Bony only joined City for £28million from Swansea in January 2015 but has notched just six Premier League goals in that time and found it difficult to make the starting line-up, where his path has been blocked by Sergio Aguero.

Nevertheless, the 27-year-old Ivory Coast international has Premier League pedigree, scoring 32 goals and supplying 10 assists in 90 matches in the competition.

In other Everton transfer news, a Premier League winner weighs up a loan move with the Toffees keen on a deal.

Arsenal

Everton FC

Wilfried Bony

Besiktas