Edin Dzeko has emerged as a shock target for Spanish duo FC Barcelona and Real Madrid as they look to bolster their attacking unit.
According to Calciomercato, as relayed by Mundo Deportivo, Edin Dzeko has become the latest player to be linked with a move to La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona. The AS Roma forward is expected to leave the club this January amid financial crisis inflicted by the Coronavirus, putting the two La Liga clubs on red alert.
Dzeko has been playing for Roma since 2015 when he joined the club on loan before making his move permanent the following summer. He has since featured in 242 competitive matches, during which he has scored 114 goals. The forward has also registered 52 assists – making him one of the key assets in the Giallorossi‘s development over the past five years.
The interest from two of the biggest clubs in football, therefore, is hardly surprising, with Real Madrid, in particular, determined to sign a new striker this January after offloading Luka Jovic.
The young Serbian has rejoined Eintracht Frankfurt on loan following a difficult spell at Santiago Bernabeu. His departure has left a void in the Real Madrid attack. Dzeko, in that regard, could be an appealing short-term solution given his experience and scoring record that could make him an obvious upgrade over Mariano Diaz.
As for Barcelona, they have lacked a quality number nine since the summer departure of Luis Suarez. Martin Brathwaite has done well but isn’t exactly cut out for the tougher challenges Ronald Koeman’s side are set to face, especially in the UEFA Champions League. It would make Dzeko a viable investment, considering his previous record in the Premier League with Manchester City.
However, it remains unlikely that either of these two clubs will be able to afford the Roma forward, who is one of the highest-paid players in Serie A, bagging an impressive €7.5 million per season. It might not bode well for Real Madrid and Barcelona, with both clubs remaining quite inactive in the ongoing January transfer market.
It appears the universal losses in TV revenue, ticket sales and tourism has made it difficult even for two of the biggest clubs in Europe to be more aggressive in the transfer market. Dzeko’s potential move to Spain, therefore, is unlikely unless the forward agrees to a significant pay cut, which is impractical for a player of his age.
