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Mourinho reassures Dzeko: the club will wait for offers for the Bosnian

Andy Mattioli
I

After a disappointing season filled with injuries, scoring droughts, locker room disputes and a stripped captain’s arm-band, Edin Dzeko, now 35 years old, is pondering on his future. So does General Manager Tiago Pinto, whose main objective for this summer is to reduce the club’s exceeding wage bill. And Dzeko represents a large chunk of the problem.

The Bosnian striker’s last season for Roma was far from memorable: 13 goals and 4 assists across all competitions and a major dispute with former manager Paulo Fonseca that cost him the captain’s arm-band in favor of 25-year-old Lorenzo Pellegrini. Now, Roma’s number 9 is looking around for options.

With the arrival of Mourinho, Dzeko’s guaranteed departure has been put temporarily on hold. The two met a few days ago and had a lengthy discussion. According to La Gazzetta Dello Sport, the Portuguese technician and his staff reassured Dzeko of his importance to the club and expressed a belief in him as a member of the team. However, the club also realize that with Dzeko’s large salary gone (€7.5 million/season), Roma’s wage bill would be given enough breathing room to find other solutions on the market. Thus, the club have communicated to Dzeko that they will wait for offers.

Dzeko is currently looking for a two-year contract and possible destinations include MLS and Turkey. So far, only Fenerbahçe have contacted the striker about a possible move near the end of the transfer market. A lot will depend on whether Roma are able to find a solid replacement for the Bosnian. Players like Belotti or Kalajdzic have hefty price-tags and their respective teams are reluctant in letting them go. Thus, it’s another waiting game for the capital club.

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