Transfer news round-up: Swansea in chase for £20m Wilfried Bony and Tom Ince

Wilfried Bony (GETTY IMAGES)

Swansea City are prepared to spend almost £20 million on the forward Wilfried Bony and the midfielder Tom Ince.

The Swansea owner Huw Jenkins held talks with Bony's representatives today, an offer believed to be around £10 million having been tabled for the Vitesse Arnhem striker.

The 24-year-old Bony, an Ivory Coast international, is eager to move to the Premier League and Jenkins is hopeful he can persuade the striker to move to the Liberty Stadium.

Swansea also moved for Blackpool's Ince, a further signal of their intention to build on last season's ninth-placed finish. Michael Laudrup had sought reassurances about the club's ambition and that has been shown in the move for both players. Cardiff have also tabled an offer, believed to be around £8 million for Ince.

Recently relegated Wigan Athletic also began their rebuilding work yesterday with moves for the Newcastle defender James Perch and the goalkeeper Scott Carson. Owen Coyle has put together two £750,000 deals for both players as he attempts to mould a squad capable of pushing for an immediate return to the Premier League.

Sunderland confirmed the signing of three new players on Bosman transfers. The central defender Modibo Diakite signed a three-year contract at the Stadium of Light after moving from Lazio, the midfielder Cabral has moved from FC Basel and French defender Valentin Roberge also signed a three-year contract.

Paolo Di Canio needs to replace Simon Mignolet, who has moved to Liverpool, and is ready to table a £2 million bid for Arsenal's goalkeeper Vito Mannone. The Italian goalkeeper is keen to move to guarantee first team football.

Crystal Palace also moved closer to breaking their record transfer with the £6 million signing of Dwight Gayle edging nearer to completion. The 22-year-old, who has not even played a full season of league football, scored 13 goals for Peterborough last season.

West Bromwich Albion are also monitoring Nicolas Anelka's situation as they look for a replacement for Romelu Lukaku. The 34-year-old Anelka spent the end of last season on loan at Juventus from Shanghai Shenhua and is looking for a new club.