Edin Džeko to Manchester City: Reports Suggest Bosnian Close to Record Signing
According to reports in Germany on Wednesday, Wolfsburg striker Edin Džeko is inching closer to finalizing a deal that would bring the 24-year-old to Manchester City in a record €40 million signing (£34 million).
In a Wolfsburger Allgemeine release, City would pay an initial €30 million fee, with a conditional €5 million should the club qualify for the Champions League this year. The remaining €5 million would be allocated to the agents and a signing-on fee.
The rumors have spread for months that Džeko was one of Roberto Mancini’s top targets in January’s transfer window, but all signs point for a move to England’s top flight for the Bosnian.
On the interest in bringing 6’3” goal scorer to Eastlands, Mancini was quoted to have said that “[Džeko] can decide titles, and that is why we want him.”
The 2009 and 2010 Bosnian Striker of the Year is no stranger to scoring goals as he was an instant hit upon his arrival at Wolfsburg in 2007. Through 138 fixtures, Džeko has scored 85 times in all competitions, including back-to-back 20-goal seasons in the Bundesliga.
Highly effective in the air and equally as skilled on the ground, the Wolfsburg captain would bring size and strength, in addition to his scoring threat, to City’s final third, and the intimidating presence that the club has been lacking—though Carlos Tévez is hardly underperforming at the position.
With Džeko reportedly incoming, a couple of City strikers whose playing time this season has been minimal, Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz are all but out the door, although finding the right suitors to assume their high wages may prevent the club from acquiring additional targets.
Should the deal be finalized, it would be the first big signing of the New Year and kick-start the transfer season.
