Report: Bony set for West Ham loan ahead of lucrative move to China

To see a list of completed deals in the summer window thus far, visit theScore's Premier League transfer tracker.

Wilfried Bony looks set to follow the path to China that other high-profile football players before him have carved out.

But first, a loan move to West Ham United before the summer transfer window closes could be on the horizon, Jason Burt of the Telegraph reports.

The Irons are said to be eager to complete a move for the Manchester City forward in order to offset a series of injuries that have left the club in desperate need of replacements.

Sources tell Burt that the loan deal is only expected to last until the new year, after learning that Manchester City has already reached a deal to sell the Ivory Coast international to an unidentified club in the Chinese Super League.

Bony is one of the players new City manager Pep Guardiola has reportedly identified as a replaceable component, joining the likes of Samir Nasri and Joe Hart.

But he could prove to be a critical addition to Slaven Bilic's side after Andre Ayew - who joined West Ham from Swansea City for a club-record £20-million fee - went down with a thigh injury that could keep him out until December, and Andy Carroll's absence through yet another injury, which will keep him out of action for up to two months.