He may be 33-years-old and approaching the final 12-months of his contract with AS Roma, but we have again been linked with a move for Edin Dzeko.
The latest report connecting the Hammers with the Bosnia-Herzegovina captain comes via Italian football news site Calciomercato, who have noted that our interest in the veteran centre-forward has not dwindled amidst his growing ties to succeeding Mauro Icardi at Inter Milan.
Instead, they are now claiming that both, the San Siro outfit and us, are continuing to follow the 12-goal star’s situation at the Giallorossi, where it is becoming increasingly clear that his time in the Serie A with them is nearing its end.
Unfortunately, there does not seem to be any movement in their asking price for the attacker, with previous reports suggesting the Stadio Olimpico natives will hold out for €25million (£21.5m).
We have, however, been gifted a key boost in securing his services for next season, should we agree to pay their reported asking price, as Calciomercato have noted that Roma have identified who they want to fill Dzeko’s void upon his departure.
Supposedly, Boca Juniors striker Dario Benedetto has emerged as the favourite to be wearing the Giallorossi’s Tyrian purple jersey next term, and he could be captured for €21million (£18.1m) via his release clause.
The 28-year-old forward has never ventured outside of his native Argentina, where he has earned five international caps, or Mexico, and is hardly in the most lethal of form this season.
In 15 Primera Division outings for Xeneizes, Benedetto has only found the back of the net on two occasions, the same tally as he has put together in the Libertadores Cup.
If Roma are looking at replacing Dzeko with Benedetto, even for €4m (£3.4m) profit, we would easily be the ones getting the better end of the stick, despite the fact the 6 ft 3 Bosnian is closer to calling it a day.
