West Ham transfers: Sam Allardyce confirms interest in Wilfried Bony

Sam Allardyce has confirmed that West Ham United are keeping tabs on Wilfried Bony with a view to a possible summer transfer for the Ivory Coast forward.

The striker has attracted interest from a host of Premier League clubs, with Chelsea having reportedly sent scouts to watch him play for Vitesse Arnhem this season.

The 24-year-old this week said that a summer move to Upton Park remains a “possibility” – and Allardyce revealed that Hammers scouts are to watch the forward turn out against against NAC Breda this weekend.

“Our head scout will be at the game [on Saturday], as well as other scouts, and that means we’re after him,” said Allardyce.

“It means we’re monitoring everybody that might become available in the summer. More goals is what we need. We look for somebody who is going to get us more goals.

“That’s a necessity for us to progress and be better, hopefully, next season.”

Bony, whose Vitesse contract is set to expire in 2015, has netted an impressive 27 goals in 25 games in the Dutch league this term.

Earlier this week, he said: “If I go to England, that would be perfect because of the competition, atmosphere, though Germany and France also appeal.”

And when asked about a link with West Ham, he replied: “I know only by hearsay, nothing is concrete, but [a move there] is certainly a possibility.”