#360transfers: Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko on his way to Roma

Andy Hampson 08:41 05/08/2015
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • All roads lead to Roma: Edin Dzeko.

    Edin Dzeko is on the verge of ending his four-year association with Manchester City after Roma last night had a £14 million (Dh80m) bid accepted for the Bosnia striker. 

    Dzeko, who struggled to nail down a first-team place under Manuel Pellegrini, starting just 11 league games last season, has agreed personal terms with the Giallorossi and will fly to Italy this week to undergo a medical. 

    The 29-year-old has scored 72 goals in 187 appearances for City since arriving for £27m (Dh154m) from Wolfsburg in 2011. 

    Once the move is completed Dzeko will link-up with Zmajevi team-mate Miralem Pjanic at the Stadio Olimpico. 

    Meanwhile, City centre-back Eliaquim Mangala is confident the team will resolve their defensive problems before next week’s season opener at West Brom.

    City’s back line has looked vulnerable during pre-season with Manuel Pellegrini’s men losing 4-1 to Real Madrid last month and conceding another four in the first half in Saturday’s defeat at Stuttgart.

    Defensive frailties were a recurring issue last season and Mangala acknowledges improvement is needed before City begin their  campaign at the Hawthorns on Monday.

    The Frenchman said: “I think what happened against Madrid and Stuttgart rang one or two alarm bells and maybe showed we have to change something and be aware, because we can’t play the way we did in those two games against West Brom or we’ll get punished.

    – From Diaby to El Shaarawy: Five Ligue 1 transfers to watch
    – #360debate: Will Arsenal sustain a title challenge this season?
    – AGL: Super Cup forced to change venue due to demand

    "That’s why they were valuable games for us, but the fact is that it is better to find out in pre-season friendlies than in the Premier League because the results are not as important.

    “It also gives us an idea of the areas we need to work on and improve. Everything is focused on our first game against West Brom and by Monday, we’ll be ready and focused.”

    Mangala had a mixed season after his £42m (Dh240m) move from Porto last summer but ended the season well by helping keep four clean sheets in a run of six successive wins.

    The 24-year-old said: “I am focused on the season ahead and I want to play my part to the full. I know I need to improve and show my best game every time I play and that’s what I intend to do.”

    Recommended