West Ham line up loan move for 27-year-old striker - report

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Published on:

19 Aug 2016, 5:11 am

By Tom Blackburn

West Ham want to bring Wilfried Bony in on loan but Manchester City are eager for the Ivorian to leave permanently, according to a report.

The Daily Mail claim that amid West Ham’s striker crisis, Slaven Bilic wants to cover the position with a loan replacement, with Bony, 27, seen as a top target.

However, it is reported that Manchester City would prefer a permanent deal as Bony is not part of their future plans. He was omitted from their Champions League squad for the two-legged play-off against Steaua Bucharest.

West Ham are searching for a short-term attacking option after new £20.5million signing Andre Ayew was injured on his debut against Chelsea on Monday night.

Fans were left reeling after it was reported on Sky Sports that Ayew could be out of action until the end of the year after suffering a thigh injury.

BREAKING: Sky sources: West Ham's Andre Ayew faces up to four months out with thigh injury: https://t.co/5IqcuhVU0F
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 17, 2016

Dutch publication Voetbal International claimed last Thursday that Everton were close to agreeing a £25.6million deal for the Man City striker.

Arsenal have also been linked with the Ivorian, after attacking midfielder Alexis Sanchez was asked to lead their line for the opening weekend 4-3 Premier League defeat to Liverpool.

The Daily Star claimed last week that The Gunners were set to make a £30million bid for Bony, while Turkish outlet Fanatik claimed Turkish giants Besiktas have also joined the race.

Bony 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 West Ham transfer news, one of their transfer targets is arriving imminently for a medical.

West Ham United

Wilfried Bony