One of the stories that appears to be building between now and the end of the summer is that of Edin Dzeko’s potential return to the Premier League.
We’ve already gone over this in the past, as this isn’t a new rumour, but West Ham are said to be interested in the Bosnia international, currently contracted to AS Roma in Italy.
All this talk comes ahead of Marko Arnautovic’s potential departure from London Stadium at the end of the season, and Manuel Pellegrini’s fondness for Dzeko from their time at Manchester City together has made this a big story no one was really expecting last summer.
According to Il Messaggero on Tuesday, West Ham are continuing their pursuit of the 33-year-old, said to be ‘getting serious’ in their attempts to convince him to swap one capital city for the other.
However, the Italian newspaper point out that, as things stand, the veteran goalscorer is ‘waiting’ for Inter, who are thinking about him for their post-Mauro Icardi era should they decide to part ways with the Argentine.
After all, who better than a professional and experienced striker to help Lautaro Martinez along for a year or so before making the 21-year-old their main asset going forward?
West Ham will certainly have competition, and, as Gazzetta dello Sport, in their coverage of the story, explain, it could also come from Everton.
The national newspaper repeat much of Il Messaggero’s information (like Inter being favourites), but also add that an offer from the Hammers was received in Rome ‘in recent days’.
The numbers aren’t revealed, but what is is Roma’s asking price: somewhere around €30m.
With just one year left on his deal come the summer, that seems a bit excessive when also taking into account his age and subpar output this season (12 goals in 30 appearances).
West Ham like spending money, but €30m on a player who might have two good seasons left in him? Surely Gold & Sullivan won’t go for that.
