West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini is readying a move to reunite with former Manchester City star Edin Dzeko from Roma in case Marko Arnautovic departs this month, according to Knees Up Mother Brown.
The reputable West Ham news source claim that the Chilean boss has got the 32-year-old colossus, who stands at 6’4″ (source: Transfermarkt), at the top of his list as a replacement for their Austrian talisman and that it is expected he will launch a move to bring the Bosnian international back to the Premier League if their current star leaves.
Dzeko, who starred for Manchester City under Pellegrini, has played 19 times for the Italian giants this season with seven goals and four assists across all competitions.
Good move for West Ham?
While he might be a little older and not as mobile as Arnautovic, Dzeko could prove to be a quality signing for the Irons – although is he a little too similar to Andy Carroll in the shape of a target man?
The Bosnian is a little more clinical than his English counterpart and has the ability to bring teammates into the game as well as finishing off attacks, which could help bring the best out of the likes of Felipe Anderson.
Pellegrini obviously knows what he has to offer having managed him on the way to a Premier League title in 2014 and the duo could help each other out this month by sealing a reunion in east London.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
Arnautovic first needs to leave the London Stadium – which seems quite possible – before this becomes a possibility but if and when he does, it should not take Dzeko too much convincing to make the switch.
He would be a hero at West Ham if he can replicate his performances at Manchester City and have the supporters forgetting about the Austrian in no time whatsoever.
This is Futbol rating: 7.5/10