WILL BONY RETURN AGAIN? DON’T RULE IT OUT
WILFRIED Bony says he is open to a return to Swansea City as the Ivorian looks to get his career back on track.
The former Swansea striker has been training with Newport County in recent weeks as he works his way back to fitness.
Bony, 32, is currently without a club since leaving Saudi Arabian side Al-ittihad in November when his contract was terminated.
Back in Wales, the forward, who commanded a £28million transfer fee when he moved to Manchester City from Swansea in 2015, says he hopes to play for another three or four years. And he revealed he still keeps his eye on his old club.
“They are doing well actually,” Bony told BBC Sport Wales when asked about high-flying Swansea.
“I follow them. I speak sometimes with Andre Ayew, with Nathan Dyer, we spoke a lot, so I think they are doing well at the moment, so I’m really happy for them.
“They have a good chance, it’s almost the middle of the league (season) now, so they have a chance, they are doing well.
“The younger players, they’ve got experience, because they’ve been there two or three years together, they didn’t sell a lot.
“It’s a good, compact group, it’s very important with Nathan Dyer, Wayne Routledge and Andre to guide them, it’s very important and they are doing very well.”
Bony ruled out joining Newport, despite his harmonious working relationship with boss Michael Flynn, but didn’t dismiss the possibility of returning in the white shirt of Swansea.
“Everything is possible in football,” he said.
“I’m never going to say no, if we agree everything, if both parties are happy then why not?
“It’s my home here, in the UK here, I’m happy here, my family is here, it was one of the reasons I wanted to come back because my family was in Swansea.”
He added: “My agent and staff, they are talking with Turkish sides, Chinese sides, Korean sides, in Russia also. But I leave that to them.
“I just focus on my training, to get fit and get ready for when the moment comes for me to move.” Swansea are in the market for a new striker, with loan man Viktor Gyokeres having returned to parent club Brighton. Meanwhile, Steve Cooper admitted he was determined to see Jay Fulton extend his contract with Swansea following his impact this term.
The Scot (circled, left) has been an integral figure so far, featuring 21 times in all competitions while scoring a fine goal in the 2-0 triumph over Stoke City in October. Fulton’s contract was due to expire following the conclusion of the 2020-21 campaign, although he has put pen to paper on a new deal that ties him to the club until the summer of 2024.
Speaking before Fulton’s new deal had been officially announced, Cooper said the central midfielder deserves huge praise from supporters for the way he has performed this season.
“I’ve got to tell you, I think he’s contributed an awful lot this season,” said Swansea’s head coach.
“I can’t tell you how professional he is.
“He’s the ultimate team player or squad member if you like. He’s always puts everything else before him, a selfless individual.
“Swansea is very important to him. His wife has just given birth to a second child and they’re going to grow up here, and that’s important when you’re a family man as he is.
“I’ve had really good conversations with Jay this season and recently. We’re all on the same page.
“I hope he’s getting a lot of recognition for the way he’s playing because he deserves it. But he, like me, will be going ‘what’s next?’ and looking forward.
“But so far, I think he’s been excellent this year.”
Fulton joined Swansea from Falkirk in January 2014 and had loan spells with Oldham Athletic and Wigan Athletic before becoming an established first-team player in South Wales following Swansea’s relegation from the Premier League in May 2018.