Wilfried Bony believes Swansea will sell him for the right price and not stand in the way of his dream of playing in the Champions League after intense interest in the summer came to nothing.
The striker was linked with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool in the summer after an impressive 2013-2014 campaign but despite strong interest after his 27-goal season he remains with Swansea.
The player insists that he is happy in the South of Wales, and there have been reports that he is close to signing a one-year extension that will keep him with Swansea till 2018, Bony is open to a move.
He told the Sunday Mirror: ‘I am always honest with the club and they are always honest with me. If they get the right price for me I think they will sell. I’m sure the fans will understand.’
Bony scored in the Premier League, Europa League, League and FA Cups for the Swans, and twice for Ivory Coast at the World Cup, but the absence of the Champions League on that list is a frustration he is not shy of noting.
‘For sure, I want to play in that,’ he as Swansea prepare to host one of his potential suitors, Arsenal.
‘Yes, one day I would love to play in the Champions League. That is what I am fighting for in my career.’
On the summer speculation Bony says he had to remain professional and focussed on his job at Swansea, and wait to see how things played out.
And after no deal eventuated he pledged his allegiance to his club.
‘I love it here at Swansea,’ he says. ‘If you score goals, always the bigger teams will look at you. What I want to do now is to do better than last season.’
Bony hasn’t had the same rush of form so far this season, with just four goals in 10 appearances this season, including a double against Leicester last month.
It took him eight matches to open his account with a 17th-minute opener in a 2-2 draw with Newcastle.
Swansea currently lie in seventh place and will hope their prized asset delivers against a high-flying arsenal who have their sights set on breaking into the top four on Sunday.