EXCLUSIVE: £27m Dzeko fighting to save his City future
Published 22:26 10/03/12 By Simon Mullock
Edin Dzeko is facing a fight to save his future at Manchester City.
The £27million Bosnian marksman has failed to deliver consistently.
This is despite an impressive strike-rate of 24 goals in 56 appearances since arriving from Wolfsburg just 14 months ago. Dzeko himself is unhappy that he has been unable to secure a regular start in Roberto Mancini’s team this season, with 11 of his 35 appearances coming as a substitute.
That has alerted a number of clubs to his possible availability in the summer – with Inter Milan following Juventus in registering an interest in the 25-year-old. And unless performances improve, City are likely to welcome his departure if they can recoup most of the cash they paid Wolfsburg.
Mancini now regards Sergio Aguero and Mario Balotelli as his most reliable forwards – even though Dzeko has scored 18 times this season.
And with Carlos Tevez also set to come back into the first-team fold, Dzeko could even find himself as the fourth-choice option.
He was unhappy at being subbed as City lost the first leg of their Europa League clash with Sporting Lisbon 1-0 on Thursday night.
But Dzeko was the worst performer in a below-par City display that only came to life when Balotelli entered the fray. As exclusively revealed by Sunday Mirror Sport in November, City have made Robin van Persie their No.1 summer target.
And with Swedish youngster John Gudetti scheduled to return to the club after a successful loan spell at Feyenoord this season, both Dzeko and Tevez are likely to be sold.
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