Manchester City 'step up £25m Wilfried Bony pursuit'

Manchester City will reportedly step up their interest in Swansea City forward Wilfried Bony with a £25m January bid.

Bony, who scored 20 goals in 2014 for the South Wales outfit, has been linked with a move away from the Liberty Stadium, with Chelsea mentioned as a possible destination.

However, The Mirror claims that City will look to seal a deal for the Ivorian in this month's transfer window.

The Premier League champions are apparently hopeful that their valuation, which is said to be £4m more than Bony's release clause, will be enough to prise him away from the Swans.

City are looking for reinforcements up front following injuries to Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic in recent weeks.

Manuel Pellegrini is also believed to have the backing of the club's wealthy benefactor Sheikh Mansour as he looks to recruit another top-line forward.