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Everton to move for ex-City striker Dzeko?

By Matt Townsend

ROME, ITALY - JANUARY 19: Edin Dzeko of AS Roma reacts dejected after Daniele Verde of AC Spezia scored a goal during the Coppa Italia match between AS Roma and AC Spezia at Olimpico Stadium on January 19, 2021 in Rome, Italy. Sporting stadiums around Italy remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Giampiero Sposito/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY - JANUARY 19: Edin Dzeko of AS Roma reacts dejected after Daniele Verde of AC Spezia scored a goal during the Coppa Italia match between AS Roma and AC Spezia at Olimpico Stadium on January 19, 2021 in Rome, Italy. Sporting stadiums around Italy remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Giampiero Sposito/Getty Images) /
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Reports circulating in the online media claim that Everton are one of two Premier League clubs interested in signing Roma and ex-Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko.

Dzeko is yet another veteran player at a major European club who seems unhappy with his situation and wants to leave for pastures new, hence the link to Everton. 

The Toffees have been associated with moves for several other apparently discontented players such as Isco and Arkadiusz Milik.

These sorts of stories are probably at least in part a result of many cash-strapped clubs anxious to offload older players to get them off the wage bill due to the financial impact of Covid 19.

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As an aside, these problems have impacted every club on the continent including the Blues. However, Everton seem to have come out with stronger commercial impetus then many and that bodes well for restoring growth to the club’s finances.

Getting back to Dzeko, despite his age, the Bosnian forward has again been very effective this campaign netting seven times in fourteen starts for the Roman club. A goal every two games is pretty good going for a 34-year-old.

His performances are not dissimilar to another veteran striker in Serie A (also previously linked to the Toffees when Carlo Ancelotti became the Blues manager) Zlatan Ibrahimovich, who is holding back the years at Milan too.

Dzeko has good qualities as he showed at City. He’s an excellent finisher has a very good all-round game and is strong in the air. He’s not the quickest but is an effective target man.

The Roma player is obviously a well-traveled forward who has plenty of Premier League experience. In terms of his qualities he’s similar to the Napoli centre-forward Milik another player that Everton have been very strongly linked to.

Milik has been linked with a move elsewhere and so the Toffees will almost certainly be associated with a host of new strikers and forwards as they are assumed to be looking for additional options to support Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Although he would represent a decent replacement for Calvert-Lewin if he is out of the team – in terms if his aerial threat and goal-scoring ability anyway – once again as with other related stories I’m highly skeptical Everton are looking at bringing in Dzeko.

If the club are looking at forwards they will probably want a younger player who can operate in more than one position. And although the transfer window deadline is approaching fast, as we’ve said before it seems very unlikely given comments from the club, that the Blues will be doing any last minute business in this window.

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