I can rule Europe after Manchester City transfer, says £28m Wilfried Bony
MANCHESTER City’s newest recruit Wilfried Bony is hoping that his record-breaking £28m move will help him to realise his dream of winning the Champions League.
The Ivory Coast striker yesterday officially completed his transfer from Swansea to the Premier League title-holders for a fee of £25m plus £3m in potential extras – a club record for the Welsh outfit.
Bony, 26, has taken the scenic route to one of Europe’s biggest sides, having slowly amassed admirers during stints in the Czech Republic and Holland before joining the Swans in summer 2013.
But now he has arrived he is eager to make up for lost time by adding to his sole title, earned at Sparta Prague five years ago, and particularly covets the Champions League.
“I felt excited to wait for this moment and now it has come, it’s fantastic,” said Bony, whose City debut will be delayed until next month, after his country’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
“I think it’s a great decision for me; Manchester City is in the Champions League. I said that if I want to move it will be to a team in the competition because it’s a great tournament that I really want to play in and one that I want to win. It’s a motivation for me to give my maximum to be in that place.”
The Blues have a dismal record in Europe’s most prestigious club competition and face a tricky last-16 tie against Barcelona when it resumes next month.
“City is a big club with great players with a lot of experience. I believe we can do it,” added Bony.
City manager Manuel Pellegrini welcomed the arrival of a player who scored 34 goals in 70 appearances for Swansea and joins a formidable forward line that also includes Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic.
“He is very difficult to mark because he is so strong,” said Pellegrini. “He is an intelligent footballer who has skill and power.
“His goals record has been excellent since he came to England. He adapted very quickly to the game here and I think he will settle in at City quickly. He will be a very good addition to our squad.
“We now have four top-class strikers and I am very much looking forward to seeing them work together.”