Stoke transfer news: Potters boss Mark Hughes admits star striker Wilfried Bony could move to China in January
Ivorian has clause that allows Chinese Super League clubs to buy him in the transfer window
STOKE boss Mark Hughes has admitted that Wilfried Bony does have a clause in his contract that allows Chinese Super League clubs to buy him in January.
The 27-year-old is on a season-long loan from Manchester City and has notched twice in ten appearances so far this campaign.
Despite his switch to the Potters, it has emerged that the Ivorian has the option to further his career in China, and a move could happen in the next transfer window.
However, his current manager is confident that any offer from the Far East will be shunned by the striker.
Hughes said: “I think that may well be true, but a lot of things have come to the fore to make that happen, not least that Wilf needs to want to go himself.
“I don’t think he will want to. I think he sees himself very much as a Premier League player this year and in the years to follow.
“Any thoughts of moving to other shores would be dependent on whether or not he had a desire to do that.
“Clearly, if his club thought it was a good deal they would try and influence that but I don’t anticipate that happening, certainly not in January.
“There seems to be significant amounts of money being banded about (in China), but I would suggest Wilf’s not too short of a few quid to be perfectly honest.
“In terms of Wilf, I think he’s more focused on continuing his career in the Premier League with us, so unless he comes and knocks on my door and says he’s had an offer…I’d be very surprised.”
Hughes also confirmed that no there was no set fee agreed between Stoke and City for a permanent move for Bony at the end of his loan deal.
He added: “We’re not thinking on those terms at the moment.
“We’re delighted that he’s here until the end of the season in our view and we’ll look at it again. It’s not something that’s in the contract, we haven’t got a price that’s been agreed, sometimes you can do that but that’s clearly not what Man City wanted.”