Report: Stoke City step up interest in Manchester City's Wilfried Bony

Manchester City's Ivorian striker Wilfried Bony celebrates scoring the opening goal during the English League Cup quarter-final football match between Manchester City and Hull City at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on December 1, 2015
© Getty Images
Wilfried Bony is reportedly wanted by Stoke City, who are hopeful of winning the race to sign the Ivory Coast international on loan ahead of Everton and West Ham United.

Stoke City are hoping to beat two of their Premier League rivals to the signing of Manchester City outcast Wilfried Bony, according to a report.

The Ivory Coast international is expected to depart the Etihad Stadium prior to Wednesday's transfer deadline, with West Ham United and Everton also interested.

Sky Sports News reports that Stoke boss Mark Hughes is looking into the prospect of taking the 27-year-old on loan, but the Potters will have to pay his £90,000-a-week wages in full during his spell at the bet365 Stadium.

Bony, who joined the Citizens from Swansea City for £28m in January 2015, has yet to be given any playing time this season under new manager Pep Guardiola.

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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City33009369
2Chelsea33007259
3Manchester UnitedMan Utd33006159
4Everton32104227
5Hull City32014226
6Middlesbrough31203215
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs31203215
8Arsenal31116514
9Leicester CityLeicester31113304
10West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom31112204
11Liverpool311156-14
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham310235-23
13Burnley310224-23
14Swansea CitySwansea310224-23
15Southampton302124-22
16Sunderland301235-21
17Crystal Palace301213-21
18Watford301236-31
19Bournemouth301225-31
20Stoke CityStoke301226-41