Swansea City captain Ashley Williams has said that keeping Wilfried Bony at the club is "very important" if they are to be competitive at the highest level.

Club record signing Bony scored 25 goals in all competitions last season to help Swansea avoid relegation from the Premier League and has attracted interest from several clubs.

Williams told reporters: "It is very important he stays because he is a very good player, he has come back [from the World Cup] very focused, the best we have seen him. He is sharp in training and it would be a big boost to keep him.

"It would be bigger than getting a new signing – when you bring a new person in you are not sure how it is going to go. I don't make any decisions at the club, but as players we want him to stay and we have told him that.

"He looks sharp and he is so hungry, he wants to score every day and win every game. I am sure that will serve him well."

The Ivorian joined the club from Vitesse Arnhem in a £12m deal last summer.