Wilfried Bony's ill-fated second spell at Swansea City draws to a close as he weighs up lucrative move to Qatar

Wilfried Bony's ill-fated second spell at Swansea City is set to come to an end this week as he weighs up a lucrative move to Qatari outfit Al Sadd.

Bony, the Championship club's highest earner, was left out of the squad completely as the Welsh side continued impressive recent form to ease past Gillingham in the FA Cup.

Galatasaray have also been linked with Bony and manager Graham Potter suggested the 30-year-old, whose contract expires at the end of the season, is likely to leave.

"I thought it was unfair to ask Wilf to be involved," he said after Swansea's third win in four games. When asked if Bony had been left out of the squad to protect him from a potential injury that could scupper a move away from the Liberty Stadium, Potter added: "Injury is a consideration, Wilf has been great with us and perfect with the group and he wanted to be involved."

Swansea were stylish and superior throughout, despite the absence of Bony. Bersant Celina, the former Manchester City midfielder, struck a brilliant 25-yard strike, while Oliver McBurnie impressed with a brace.

"That was definitely my best this season," said Celina of his goal. "Hopefully I can score even better ones but it doesn’t matter as long as I keep scoring and doing well. I’ve got that strike in my locker, I just need to shoot more." Celine, whose family were forced to flee the Kosovo war, had been in touch with former teammates at the Etihad and is dreaming of being drawn against them in the cup.

Swansea had been immediately on top against League One opposition and the impressive Barrie McKay came agonisingly close to scoring in their first foray, but his curling right-foot effort from 15 yards hit the far post.

Swansea's opener came after Leroy Fer sent a chip across the box for McBurnie to glance beyond Tomas Holy on 10 minutes. McBurnie was again the hero, this time slotting a right-foot shot home from the centre after a back-heel from McKay.

Gillingham were braver in the second half and were rewarded on 51 minutes when Josh Rees, a 25-year-old signing from non-League Bromley, headed in a Mark Byrne cross.

But the game was killed off with 20 minutes left thanks to a goal that would have graced any match. Celina was fed by McKay midway inside the Gillingham half but as defenders pondered, the midfielder struck a rocket from 25 yards into the top right corner. McKay then made it four after meeting a drilled, low cross from substitute Daniel James on the breakaway, a classy way to round off a superior performance by Swansea, who can now set their sights on their chase for the Championship play-off spots.