Wilfried Bony to reject big-money move to China and fight for his place at Stoke after Africa Cup of Nations
Striker has played just six minutes of league action in December but wants to remain at the Potters
WILFRIED BONY played just six minutes during Stoke’s slump in December – but will still snub mega-money offers from China to stay at the club.
Mark Hughes’ side failed to win their final five games of 2016 and plummeted from a point off the top six down into the bottom half.
And during their run Sparky kept a £28million striker on the bench, aside from a sub appearance at Liverpool when a result was out of reach.
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It was Hughes’ last chance to the use his striker before he went to the African Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast – but he looks set to return from Gabon and finish his loan from Manchester City.
Hughes had stressed Bony’s importance to his plans when he arrived on deadline day in August, with the former Swansea striker expected to get the chance to show the form that made him the Premier League’s top scorer in the 2014 calendar year.
He also revealed how a clause will allow Bony leave for China this month, although that is unlikely to happen.
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It is understood that Bony intends to stay at the Bet365 Stadium to fight for his place in the second half of the season.
Following Cristiano Ronaldo’s incredible £85million-a-year offer, Arsene Wenger was among the managers last week to suggest players in their prime should turn down the money on offer from Far East.
And Bony appears to be like-minded when it comes to his career in the Premier League.
One club in the Chinese Super League offered him £12million per season AFTER TAX to turn his back on England and join the likes of Carlos Tevez and Oscar.
Turkish giants Besiktas have also shown an interest in the 28-year-old but staying at Stoke looks like the most likely outcome.
Bony will also attempt to use the tournament, starting mid-January and ending February 5, to force his way back into Hughes’ plans.
The ex-Swansea striker scored twice in the win over his old club before losing his place in Sparky’s team for the last seven games.