Chelsea target Edin Dzeko cut a frustrated figure on Wednesday night inside Sampdoria’s Stadio Luigi Ferraris before he rescued Roma’s bid for Champions League football with a header in stoppage time.
The Bosnian striker started and scored in what is expected to be his Roma swansong as he is involved in a double deal with defender Emerson Palmieri to switch Rome for west London in a £44m switch in this window.
But former Manchester City striker Dzeko is currently holding up the move to the Premier League as the striker has yet to agree personal terms to join Antonio Conte’s side.
Dzeko, who joined the Italians from City in July 2016, is the club’s top scorer so far this season with 13 goals in all competitions.
But given he turns 32 in March and is one of the club’s highest earners, the offer from Chelsea is welcomed more than usual by the club.
Although the move is widely accepted to be close to completion, Roma’s sporting director Monchi increased pressure on Conte and Chelsea to wrap up a move by suggesting previous offers have ‘not been interesting’.
‘We are continuing on our way, Rome as all the clubs in the world listen to offers for its players and then we decide,’ he said.
‘Right now (Edin) Dzeko is here and we are happy, it means that until now the offers who have arrived have not been interesting.’
Brazilian left-back Palmieri, who was an unused substitute in the 1-1 draw against Sampdoria, is also seen as a replaceable asset having not long returned from ligament damage.
In the ranks at Chelsea, Palmieri is seen as a direct replacement for 23-year-old left-back Baba Rahman, who is re-joining Bundesliga outfit Schalke on loan.
A first-half penalty converted by 34-year-old forward Fabio Quagliarella, after a lengthy VAR delay saw the spot-kick awarded, looked set to be the winning strike as Roma struggled to break down their hosts.
But Dzeko grabbed his 13th goal of the season in clinical fashion during second-half stoppage time as he rose highest to rescue a vital point as they remain fifth in the table
COMMENTS