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Swansea star Wilfried Bony nearly signed for Liverpool, says Leeds legend Brian Deane
LEEDS UNITED legend Brian Deane has claimed that Liverpool could have signed Swansea sensation Wilfried Bony five years ago.
Bony struck twice for Swansea in their 4-0 Europa League victory over Malmo last night, after completing a £12million summer switch from Dutch club Vitesse.
Swansea pipped West Ham, Fulham and Newcastle to sign the top-scorer in Holland's top-flight last season, while Liverpool and Everton reportedly also expressed an interest.
And Reds fans could rue their luck after Deane took to Twitter to reveal that Liverpool passed up the opportunity to sign Bony aged 19 after taking him on trial.
"Wilfred Bony with 2 goals for Swansea? I took him to Liverpool from the Ivory Coast for a trial 5 years ago, it's turned out well for him," said Deane.
Deane went on to explain that Bony went on trial at Liverpool whilst at Ivory Coast club Issia Wazi in 2007, and could have been signed for a nominal fee.
"He [Bony] wasn't an international at the time he was 19 and his club Issia Wazi would have accepted 5 figures but it's up to [the] clubs," he added.
Deane is currently managing Norweigan top-flight side Sarpsborg 08.