Bony opens door to Ivory Coast return

by Staff Reporter

Tuesday Jan 19, 2021. 15:00

Ivory Coast international Wilfried Bony says he is open to returning to the national team as he continues his search for a new club.

The 32-year-old marksman has been a free-agent since he parted ways with Saudi Professional League side Al-Ittihad Club in November 2020.

Bony is a nomadic player having played in Qatar, Czech Republic, the Netherlands and England where he won the Football League Cup with Manchester City.

The former Swansea City player revealed that there are ongoing negotiations with clubs in Turkey, China, Korea and Russia.

“My agent and staff, they are talking with Turkish sides, Chinese sides, Korean sides, in Russia also,” Bony told BBC Sport.

“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.

“We have to be grateful every time we are on the pitch. It’s a privilege so I have to enjoy every minute I have got.”

Boasting of 16 goals from 50 international matches for Ivory Coast, Bony has not played for the Elephants since their quarter-final exit at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.

“The team’s doing well – they have got some experienced players to guide them,” he continued.

“I am open if the coach needs me. I speak to the coach. He wants me to get back playing because he knows me – we won the cup together in 2015.

“He knows what I can give to the team. For me, the most important thing is to find a team, to get back on track and enjoy my football.”

Ivory Coast under the guidance of French tactician Patrice Beaumelle, who was an assistant to Herve Renard when the Elephants won the 2015 Afcon title in Equatorial Guinea.

Bony was part of the Elephants team which clinched the 2015 AFCON title.