Chelsea’s attempt to sign Edin Dzeko reaches a roadblock

Premier League holders Chelsea are reportedly far-off from agreeing personal terms with Edin Dzeko. The Bosnia international is currently in discussions over a potential contract with the Blues after AS Roma accepted an initial fee of €30m plus add-ons (Calciomercato) for the former Manchester City striker.

According to Premium Sport, the west London giants are prepared to offer an annual package of around €8m for the experienced marksman, though they would only be willing to agree upon an 18-month deal, owing to their strict policy of offering 12-month rolling contracts to players aged above 30.

However, this has not gone well with the marksman, who wants an extended contract until 2020 at the least, for which he is willing to discuss a much-lesser salary package of €6m-a-year. Talks are, for now, at a roadblock, but this may not hinder the proposed move of Dzeko’s teammate Emerson Palmieri to Stamford Bridge prior to the transfer deadline.

As per the report, Dzeko has the ambition of playing in Major League Soccer in the twilight of his career and he is, for now, searching for a two-and-a-half year contract which would preferably put him in line to realise his move at the end of the 2019/2020 season.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has expressed his frustrations regarding the club’s summer business in almost every press conference this term, and a striker signing is now more of a necessity, if the Blues are to maintain their top-four spot for the remainder of the campaign.

Alvaro Morata started the season in a bit of a blitz with goals in nearly every other game. However, as the season has gone on, he has now managed to maintain his performance levels with fatigue playing a role, as per Conte. Michy Batshuayi, on the other hand, has done little to gain Conte’s confidence, and his loan exit may hinge on Dzeko’s arrival.

Image – Getty