Bosnian front-man never thought about leaving City.
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Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko has denied speculation that he came close to leaving the club this summer, according to the Manchester Evening News.
The Bosnian had been strongly linked with the likes of Juventus and Fiorentina for much of the transfer window after failing to establish himself as a regular at the Etihad Stadium during most of his time with the club.
Despite looking a great prospect when he arrived from Bundesliga side Wolsburg, Dzeko has struggled for consistency in the Premier League and seemed likely to leave the club as new manager Manuel Pellegrini sought several new signings upfront.
The Chilean brought in both Stevan Jovetic and Alvaro Negredo, who along with Sergio Augero looked to have put Dzeko in with a real task of claiming a starting spot, though the 27-year-old has started this season in impressive form under the guidance of the new manager.
Dzeko now insists he never thought about leaving, and has praised the influence of Pellegrini at the club and for improving his own personal form this season, ahead of the club’s crucial Champions League tie against Bayern Munich on Wednesday night.
“I think there was a lot of speculation from journalists but I never heard from the club they wanted to sell and you never heard from me that I wanted to leave,” he said.
“I’ve said it before; the manager is very important and for every player it’s important to know the manager believes in him. He gives confidence that can change everything.”