Swansea City Striker Wilfried Bony Dismisses Liverpool and Tottenham Speculation

Swansea City forward Wilfried Bony has denied he attempted to manufacture a move to Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur during the summer transfer window, despite previously admitting to staging talks about his future at the Liberty Stadium.

Bony scored 19 league goals in his first season in the Premier League and travelled to the World Cup with an Ivory Coast side who failed to reach the knock-out stage.

The 25-year-old has previously revealed how he came close to leaving Swansea during the summer, with both Liverpool and Tottenham linked with an interest; however Bony has now backed down over those claims.

"If I wanted to go, I would have done," Bony told Jeune Afrique.

"But there has never been anything other than speculation about the departure in Monaco, Liverpool or Tottenham. I'm fine in Swansea. It is even possible that I extend my contract.

"Admittedly, I have been less effective than last season, but I'm not worried. I play in a team that is ranked high, and there is less pressure on the attackers.

"People trust me, and for a striker, you know how it works. You might just need one or two goals to get going again."

Both Liverpool and Tottenham were in desperate need of fresh attacking resources during the summer transfer window, but while the Reds lured Mario Balotelli to the club, Mauricio Pochettino eventually refrained from improving his attack in north London.

Bony's future continues to be scrutinised since he enjoyed a fruitful first campaign with Swansea, with reports emerging in the summer that the club were looking to offload the striker.

The ex-Vitesse Arnhem player opened his account for the season against Newcastle United and said after the transfer window closed on 1 September that he was ready to focus on his career in south Wales.

"Now it's over," he told the South Wales Evening Post. "Before we were talking, but now it's over, so I have to focus on the team.

"There were some chances [to leave] but nothing concrete. I waited and nothing happened so now I am just focused on the team.

"My head is OK. I just want to repeat or do better than last season."