It’s one of the least likely stories you’ll read today; former Manchester City striker Wilfried Bony is training with League Two side Newport County, as confirmed by Wales Online.
The 30-year-old cost Manchester City £25m, rising to £28m, when he left Swansea in 2015. He returned to the Liberty Stadium after 46 games and 10 goals for City, but was released on a free transfer in May, following five goals in seven games on loan to Qatari side Al-Arabi.
He’s now without a club and one presumes his South Wales base means Newport are nice and close to him. It’s highly unlikely the Exiles, who drew 0-0 with Cambridge this weekend, will see him represent their club.
Writing on his personal Twitter account, Exiles boss Michael Flynn wrote; “Great to have Wilfried Bony training with us, excellent work ethic, professionalism and standards. Boys will take a lot from this.”
Bony spoke to Wales Online about his future last week, saying; “I’m a free agent now so I’m following a programme of training, and I’ll have meetings with my agent to see if anything concrete comes in and then we’ll sit and talk about my future.
“There’s been plenty of talking but nothing concrete yet. I don’t know what the future holds so every opportunity that arises, I will sit with my agent and discuss it.”
Bony, who has 16 goals in 56 outings for the Ivory Coast, has also represented Sparta Prague, Vitesse and Stoke City in 327 game career.
Our View
This is reflective of the modern game; whenever a player makes a move to get himself fit, it’s widely reported. Back in the day, any England international could rock up at his local club if he needed to get fit and it wouldn’t be mentioned.
Wilfried Bony won’t sign for Newport, but it’s a good experience for their players. In truth, Bony’s transfer fee grossly exaggerates his ability in my opinion, but a well-travelled international striker will bring something to training.
After the 0-0 draw at the weekend, they could do with a bit of tutoring on the shooting front.
