Chelsea Transfer News: Blues Set Edin Dzeko Deadline in Latest Rumours

Chelsea are reportedly ready to walk away from a potential deal for Roma forward Edin Dzeko if they can't make progress before Monday.

According to Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph, the Blues will move on to other targets if an agreement is not reached by the end of the weekend. It's also suggested the Blues are close to signing Dzeko's Roma team-mate Emerson.

Law said a transfer for the striker has been made more difficult due to the "demands of both Roma and the 31-year-old." More details were provided on Twitter:

The report added that Chelsea will turn to Stoke City striker Peter Crouch or Burnley's Ashley Barnes as alternatives should a move for Dzeko prove to be unfeasible.

"Head coach Antonio Conte will hope that does not prove to be the case, as Dzeko is a player he put forward to Chelsea and their willingness to pursue him indicates that they are listening to his opinion," it's noted.

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The Blues appear intent on bringing in another forward, with Alvaro Morata currently enduring a lean spell in front of goal and with Conte seemingly not having full faith in Michy Batshuayi. Dzeko, who is a proven goalscorer across European football, would be an ideal option.

As these numbers from OptaJoe show, since arriving at the Stadio Olimpico, the Bosnia and Herzegovina international has been the focal point of the Giallorossi attack:

Dzeko would add another dimension to the Chelsea team, too. He brings physicality to a front line and is effective at occupying defenders and winning his duels.

That combativeness allows the 31-year-old to get into some great positions, and he can score many different types of goals. Dzeko is a bully in the air, and as Chelsea discovered in the UEFA Champions League, he is strong on both feet; he rattled in a brilliant volley with his weaker left foot in a 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge.

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It's not the type of deal Chelsea have tended to do in the past, though. Law noted that the club has a policy of not paying fees for players over the age of 30; with that in mind, journalist Paul Brown suggested this is a key transfer for the Blues:

Conte has made it clear he doesn't feel completely content with the way in which the club has backed him in the transfer market.

According to Kaveh Solhekol of Sky Sports News, the Blues are getting a little fed up with his protestations:

Signing a player like Dzeko, for what'd be a significant fee, would be a big show of faith in the Italian coach.

Additionally, it'd be a big boost to Chelsea's season. While Dzeko would be unable to play in the Champions League, in pursuit of the FA Cup and a top-four finish in the Premier League, he boasts the qualities needed to be decisive, something the alternatives aforementioned have yet to show.