It was only revealed in SportBild last week that we have been regularly scouting Fortuna Dusseldorf matches with an eye on Benito Raman, but the same German magazine, via Sport Witness, has now reported that our interest is over.
The 24-year-old is still expected to be destined for a move to the Premier League, however, as Arsenal and Everton are still said to be hot on the Belgian’s case, now that Burnley and we have seemingly pulled out of the race.
Borussia Monchengladbach also get a mention in SportBild’s latest report, as they are currently on the lookout for exciting attackers who could fill the void Thorgan Hazard is likely to leave in Dieter Hecking’s squad.
Raman would represent a sensational swoop for the lucky bidder, as Fortuna are only believed to be after €15million (£12.9m) for the 24-year-old’s services, and the Bundesliga outfit’s ‘wonder team’ will be dismantled this summer.
The Belgian’s goal tally might not force many into standing up and paying attention, but Raman has found the net ten times this season, while playing across the front-three on various occasions.
His nine in the Bundesliga also account for close to a quarter of his side’s total, with Fortuna only netting 39 goals all season, despite 13 players being responsible for those.
News that we are no longer interested in Raman most likely means the reports of our interest in AS Roma’s Edin Dzeko are proving true, with the Bosnia-Herzegovina captain expected to make his English top-flight return in the summer.
However, while Corriere dello Sport, via Sport Witness, note that we are ‘intent’ on signing the 33-year-old, they add that he will use the Giallorossi’s trip to Inter Milan this weekend as a chance to prove why the Nerazzurri should sign him.
Dzeko is understood to be keen on retaining a place at a Champions League side, and Inter are currently ahead of Roma in the Serie A standings. Although, the fate of striker Mauro Icardi will be the deciding factor in the San Siro native’s thinking.
Corriere dello Sport also mention that Dzeko would be open to taking a pay cut on his €6million-a-year wage if he has to leave the Stadio Olimpico in the summer, but Leggo had previously reported that we will offer £83,000-a-week anyway.
