Marseille joins Lille in Wilfried Bony pursuit

Ligue 1 side Marseille have joined Lille and a host of Chinese Super League clubs in pursuit of Manchester City Ivorian forward Wilfried Bony.

Despite his desire to remain in the Premier League, Etihad chiefs are reported to be keen on offloading the forward to the Far East as they believe they could at least recoup half of the £28 million they paid to Swansea in January 2015 for the Ivorian.

Lille’s new manager Marcelo Bielsa believes that the 28-year-old frontman would fit into his system perfectly.

But according to L’Equipe, Marseille have joined pursuit and will rival Lille for the former Vitesse man.

The Phocians sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta has spoken directly to the 28-year-old in recent days about his current situation and the conditions for a possible transfer.

Turkish giants Fenerbahce are also tracking the Bingerville-born forward and so are several Chinese clubs.