Edin Dzeko is “destined” to leave Roma in June after a dramatic fallout with the Serie A club, Corriere dello Sport reports of the Everton, West Ham United and Southampton target.
It seems a so-called peace treaty is a short-term measure at best.
After being stripped of the captain’s armband and told to train alone last week, Dzeko has returned to the Roma squad ahead of Saturday’s daunting trip to reigning Serie A champions Juventus.
Sporting director Tiago Pinto deserves a lot of credit for mediating a ceasefire between head coach Paulo Fonseca and the club’s 34-year-old talisman after a bitter row that threatened to derail the club’s season.
Roma, for what it’s worth, are fully aware a fit and firing Dzeko represents their best hope of qualifying for the Champions League.
But, according to Corriere dello Sport, there’s a real chance neither Dzeko nor Fonseca will be at the Stadio Olimpico come the end of June.
Roma have lined up five-time Serie A winner Max Allegri as a potential replacement for the under-fire Fonseca, while Dzeko is apparently “destined” to depart in four months’ time.
A few weeks ago talkSPORT reported Carlo Ancelotti and David Moyes were watching the situation closely, with Everton and West Ham both on the lookout for a top-quality centre-forward.
You’d imagine, then, that Corriere’s report won’t go unnoticed on Merseyside or in the East End.
The prospect of signing a soon to be 35-year-old who earns £130,000 a week may leave supporters a tad non-plussed.
But Dzeko, even at his advanced age, remains one of the most potent and prolific goalscorers in European football. In a league full of age-defying living legends, Dzeko is up there with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo.
He scored 19 times last season and has eight in 20 games this campaign.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
