Wilfried Bony on the move? Three Premier League suitors

The proof, as they say, is in the pudding. So far in 2014, there has not been a more clinical striker in the Premier League than Wilfried Bony.

Not Sergio Aguero, nor Wayne Rooney or even Diego Costa can better the Swansea City talisman's return of 19 goals this year, the latest of which came during the Welsh outfit's 3-1 defeat away at West Ham United on Sunday afternoon.

Yet, while Swansea currently reap the rewards of the Ivorian's lavish form in front of goal, as the January transfer window approaches, there is a real risk that admiring clubs could swoop for the 25-year-old.

Manager Garry Monk recently responded to speculation surrounding the centre-forward's future by insisting that it would take an "astronomical fee" to prize him away from the Liberty Stadium.

While Monk's insistence is admirable - if not predictable - he will only be too aware that the modern day footballer tends to hold the majority of the power where a potential transfer is concerned.

© Getty Images

If Bony were to decide this winter that his future lies away from Swansea, realistically, there is very little that his Premier League employers can do. If they were to reject an attractive proposal, they run the risk of having an unhappy player on their hands.

Here, Sports Mole has picked out three of Swansea's top-flight rivals that could potentially benefit from securing the former Vitesse Arnhem star's signature next month.

Stubbornness is a trait possessed by many a manager, particularly where one of their signings is concerned. However, even at this early stage, it could well be time for Brendan Rodgers to abort 'Operation Mario Balotelli' for the good of all those involved.

When Liverpool parted with £16m to sign the Italian from AC Milan in the summer, it was viewed by many as Balotelli's last chance to fulfil his undoubted potential. For a variety of reasons, though, the goods have not been produced. To date, Balotelli, who is currently injured, has failed to score in any of his nine Premier League outings, with a goal apiece coming in the Champions League and League Cup.

Those struggles have been accompanied by reports that certain members of the Liverpool squad have grown frustrated with their lackadaisical teammate, while Rodgers himself recently described his signing as a "calculated risk". Although Balotelli's Anfield career remains in its infancy, it appears that it is a risk that has backfired.

© Getty Images

In Bony, Liverpool would be getting a player that is willing to put in a shift for the team. Granted, he does not pressurise defences a la Luis Suarez, but he does not shirk the responsibility of teamwork.

He would provide the Reds frontline with an ungraded Rickie Lambert, in that he has a major physical presence, which allows him to hold up the ball and bring others in to play. He is also a proven scorer of goals, from a variety of ranges. By Rodgers's own admission, Balotelli was a gamble - something Bony's signing perhaps wouldn't be.

Spurs are very much like Liverpool in that they sold their best player to a Spanish giant for a hefty figure and attempted to replace him with quantity, rather than proven quality. For all the money spent from Gareth Bale's sale to Real Madrid, arguably only Christian Eriksen has lived up to the expectations.

One player that's 2013 arrival promised much, yet has delivered very little, is Roberto Soldado. The Spaniard cost the North Londoners £26m, which although on the high side, in the current market seemed a relatively reasonable price for a player that had scored 81 goals in 141 appearances for Valencia.

While his movement off the ball has, by and large, remained sharp, goals have been hard to come by for a confidence-stricken Soldado. Of his seven Premier League goals so far, only three have come from open play.

© Getty Images

As far as Mauricio Pochettino's alternative striking options are concerned, youngster Harry Kane has displayed plenty of promise, but at the age of 21, could suffer a dip in form at any time. As for Emmanuel Adebayor, there is a touch of the Balotelli about him!

What Tottenham do not currently have in attack is a target man, which Bony would provide. Taking both of their styles into consideration, Bony and Kane could forge a profitable partnership.

As the summer transfer window headed to its conclusion, Arsenal fans had itchy feet. Many could not believe that Arsene Wenger had not moved for a top-class centre-forward, despite the arrival of Alexis Sanchez. Then, as the clock ticked down on deadline day, while rivals Manchester United signed Radamel Falcao on loan, the Gunners plumped for Red Devils cast off Danny Welbeck.

The England international's qualities are there for all to see, but there remains the accusation that he does not score enough goals, particularly in the big games. His six Arsenal goals have been scored in outings against Aston Villa, Galatasaray, Hull City and West Bromwich Albion, whereas he was goal-shy against the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and his former employers.

Meanwhile, since joining Swansea in 2013, Bony has found the net against Man City, Man United, Liverpool and Arsenal, as well as Welsh rivals Cardiff City. In short, he has converted chances against the Premier League's best sides in the most important encounters.

© Getty Images

Olivier Giroud has returned to action ahead of schedule from a broken leg, which has been welcome news for Arsenal, but such an injury can take some time to make a complete recovery from. The other forward option - France Under-21 international Yaya Sanogo - has just one goal to show from his 19 outings.

For some seasons now, Arsenal have been an easy touch. Opposition sides know that the Gunners can be bullied. Bony may just be one player, but his arrival would be a start in toughing up the North Londoners. He is by no means a dirty player, but he does possess a nasty streak, which all top strikers require. It's something that Arsenal goalscoring legends Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry and Ian Wright all had. Is Bony as good as those? Probably not. He has the ability, though, to be the best of Arsenal's current crop of strikers.