Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko is set to be a key figure in the January transfer window plans of both Liverpool and Manchester City. The Bosnian star has once again been in prolific form in the Bundesliga with five goals in six league appearances for Steve McClaren’s new side. However, depending on the outcome of Roberto Mancini’s quest to sign Fernando Torres, Dzeko could be on his way to either Eastlands or Anfield.
Manchester City hasn’t hidden the fact they are after another top class striker after making approaches for Fernando Torres in the summer. Mancini still eyes the Spaniard as his number one striking target as he ideally would like a striker that would not need time to bed into the Premier League. However, if Roy Hodgson refuses to sell the £60m rated star, then the Citizens are ready to turn their considerable financial attention towards Dzeko.
Hodgson is a big admirer of the 6 ft 3 striker and he would be a big name replacement that would appease the Liverpool fans if he were to sell Torres to one of the club’s rivals. More importantly he would be available at between £25m to £30m which is considerably less than Manchester City are willing to pay for Torres.
The Liverpool number 9 has been a shadow of his former self this season with just one goal in seven appearances and Hodgson has doubts at the player’s ability to hold-up play up top which he prefers his main striker to do. Bobby Zamora was a key element of the Fulham side under Hodgson and Dzeko is more suited to that style with his physique and awareness. The fact that Torres is also highly injury-prone is also a factor with Liverpool aware that a poor season overall will see the player’s fee decrease rapidly. Despite the Spaniard’s poor showing, Mancini remains keen on bringing him to Eastlands and Manchester City are keen to bring another trophy signing to the club as a statement of their intent. Dzeko is second choice on the list.
It’s not surprising the cream of Europe have been eyeing Dzeko as his record in Germany is outstanding. He has scored 61 league goals in 100 appearances (85 starts) including 26 goals in 29 league starts in 2008/09 and 22 in 33 league starts in 2009/10 in what was a disappointing season for the club. No wonder Manchester City and Liverpool are casting admiring glances at the Bundesliga ace.
When Wolfsburg won the title in 2009, Dzeko’s goals were key. He ended the season in a rich vein of form after netting 23 goals in his last 17 domestic appearances including five braces and two hat-tricks. This talent marks the two-footed, quick Bosnian as the ideal replacement for Torres at Liverpool or the best alternative to the Spaniard at Manchester City. It will all depend on the Spanish international’s desire to stay at Anfield and whether Mancini will pay the huge £60m fee the Reds will demand.
No comments:
Post a Comment