Spurs and Roma on alert as Dzeko may leave in January.
Tottenham and Roma are on alert after learning that Manchester City are likely to sell Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko this January, CaughtOffside understands.
Dzeko had been linked with several moves away during the summer, with a whole host of big names such as Chelsea, Napoli and Monaco linked with ending his stay at the Etihad Stadium, though in the end he was somewhat surprisingly kept by the club, despite their purchase of two new big-name forwards.
However, with the likes of Sergio Aguero and Alvaro Negredo both out-performing Dzeko so far this season, and Stevan Jovetic still to come back to full fitness, Dzeko is still likely to become surplus to requirements for the 2012 Premier League champions.
Dzeko has a slightly underwhelming record of 42 goals in 114 appearances for City, and has often struggled to adapt to the pace of the game in the Premier League, having initially impressed in the Bundesliga with Wolsburg.
Still, with a reputation as a strong target man and a dangerous finisher, Dzeko won’t be without his suitors this January, and it is believed that City’s Premier League rivals Spurs could be one of the main contenders to sign him when the transfer window re-opens.
Andre Villas-Boas had been on the lookout for a new striker for much of the summer, signing Roberto Soldado from Valencia for £26m, though he had hoped to land another, and missed out on the likes of David Villa and Leandro Damiao.
Spurs will consider a number of their options this January, and may also revisit interest in the likes of Javier Hernandez and Christian Benteke, though with Dzeko likely to be available on a cut-price deal, the 27-year-old may become a higher priority for Villas-Boas.
Roma are also chasing a striker this season, having lost last season’s top scorer Dani Osvaldo to Southampton during the summer, and failing in their attempts to sign Demba Ba from Chelsea.
Dzeko may find the slower pace of the Italian game is better suited to his talents, and it is thought that the tall attacker may favour a move to Serie A if Roma make a suitable offer to City, who themselves would prefer to avoid selling to a rival.
The City front-man may also be interested to join a club on the up, with Roma enjoying a highly impressive start to the season in Serie A with seven wins out of seven so far under new manager Rudi Garcia.
Dzeko previously won the Premier League title with City in 2012, and could be another good recruit by the Roman side as they chase glory in their league this year.