Spurs 'interested in January move for Roma striker Edin Dzeko'
By Ben Green
Published: 15:21, 11 December 2019 | Updated: 14:05, 31 January 2020
Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho is plotting a January move for Roma forward Edin Dzeko, according to reports.
The Portuguese coach is said to have sent his scouting staff to Italy last week to catch a glimpse of the former Manchester City man in action against Verona.
Spurs to sign Edin Dzeko? Five things to know…
Jose Mourinho is eyeing up a move for Edin Dzeko in the winter market, according to the Mirror.
It is claimed the Spurs boss sent scouts to watch Dzeko in action during Roma's 3-1 win over Verona.
The 33-year-old has scored eight goals and registered two assists in 19 matches across all competitions this season.
Dzeko is the only Roma and Bosnia and Herzegovina player to score a hat-trick in the Champions League.
Spurs have just one senior striker at the club in Harry Kane having seen Fernando Llorente depart in the summer.
Is Dzeko not past it?
Not necessarily. Despite turning 34 later this season, the prolific forward is showing no serious signs of slowing down and could significantly bolster Mourinho's frontline if a transfer were to materialise.
He has started 13 of Roma's 15 Serie A matches this season and found the back of the net six times, as well as twice in the Europa League, where his latest goal came against Istanbul Basaksehir last month.
Since relocating to the Stadio Olimpico from Man City in 2015, the towering forward has struck 95 goals for the Giallorossi and brought a completely new dimension to the capital club's attack.
Dzeko hasn't quite been able to replicate his sensational 2016/17 form, in which he netted an extraordinary 39 goals in all competitions, but he has proven consistently resourceful in front of goal.
As a back-up to Kane, Spurs could do far worse. Few out-and-out strikers in world football who possess the experience, instinct and prowess of Dzeko.
Why would Spurs need to sign him?
As it stands, Mourinho has just one senior striker on the books at Spurs. The likes of Son Heung-min and Lucas Moura are capable of playing in the No. 9 role, but not to the same ability of natural marksman Kane.
Fernando Llorente left in the summer upon the expiration of his contract and subsequently joined Napoli, while highly-rated Troy Parrott has been given chances this campaign. However, at 17, Mourinho may feel he needs more experienced cover for Kane.
So, it would therefore make total sense for the Portuguese to target Dzeko. He won't be bringing in a player to supplant star man Kane, but rather someone to keep the Spurs talisman on his toes, function as a perfect back-up and even bring a new physical element to a very-technically proficient frontline.
Would Roma sell Dzeko?
It appears highly unlikely Roma will allow the Bosnian to leave on the cheap despite being in the twilight years of his career.
Dzeko only recently signed a new three-year contract with Roma, with his current deal expiring in the summer of 2022.
So, given how important he has been to Paulo Fonseca's side this season, coupled with his new deal, Spurs will likely have to provide a pretty substantial outlay. Then there's the question of whether Dzeko would accept a less prominent role. Factors that could convince him to do so may include Spurs' participation in the Champions League and the security that comes with a long-term contract taking him past his mid-thirties.
Whether Daniel Levy would sanction the funds required for all of this for a soon-to-be 34-year-old striker is another matter.
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