Chelsea Transfer News: Edin Dzeko Move 'One Step Away,' Marko Arnautovic Rumours

Chelsea are reportedly "one step away" from completing the signature of AS Roma striker Edin Dzeko, whose agent has flown to London for negotiations. Elsewhere, Marko Arnautovic has emerged as a shock target for the Blues.

Sport Witness cited a report from Italian website Pagine Romaniste, which supported the notion a move for Dzeko is close after one of his representatives, Silvano Martina, was due for talks with Roma.

Some confusion arose after the London Evening Standard's Simon Johnson reported on the same day that Dzeko's agent, Irfan Redzepagic, was jetting into London for negotiations with Chelsea, but he cleared up the details:

It appears action is being taken on both ends, both in London and Rome, to see to it that one of Serie A's most deadly attackers in recent years makes his return to the English top flight.

Dzeko spent five seasons at the Etihad Stadium on Manchester City's books before leaving for the Italian capital in 2015—initially on loan—and the Telegraph's Matt Law has said he can be a Premier League success:

Chelsea are in the hunt for backup to summer signing Alvaro Morata, who replaced Diego Costa but has now been found short of top-class cover, with Michy Batshuayi struggling to impress manager Antonio Conte.

The Blues may not stop at Dzeko in their Serie A recruitment, either, as the Guardian's Fabrizio Romano reported another member of the Giallorossi could be en route to Stamford Bridge:

Dzeko has scored 61 goals in 117 appearances for Roma altogether, per Transfermarkt, boasting an average of one goal every 1.9 games, far superior to his record of 72 goals in 189 games for City, an average of one goal every 2.6 outings.

Italian website Tuttomercatoweb also reported Dzeko could be in line to double his wages in London, taking his earnings from €4.5 million per year to €8 million per year (h/t Football Italia).

Meanwhile, West Ham United attacker Arnautovic is understood to be on Chelsea's radar as they scramble to find more alternatives for their forward line.

Arnautovic has impressed under Hammers chief David Moyes in an improvised striker role, and ESPN reported Conte favours the former Stoke City star (h/t Daily Star's David Rivers).

The Austria international moved to the London Stadium in a £20 million deal over the summer, and after stumbling in his usual wing position, Squawka showed how his form has exploded since moving more centrally:

West Ham boss Moyes has laboured to find a reliable striking presence up top, despite the club acquiring Javier Hernandez's signature over the summer, and the thought of losing Arnautovic already won't be welcomed.

Chelsea would need to offer West Ham a swift opportunity to make a profit on their investment in order to even tempt the east Londoners into selling, lest they risk another target evading their grasp.