Edin Dzeko: Everton in three-way battle to make striker add to 50 Prem goals after Lukaku chain of events

Samuel Bannister 14 Jul 2022 1:49 PM

Everton are among three Premier League clubs considering a swoop to bring former Manchester City frontman Edin Dzeko back to the Premier League, it has been claimed.

Dzeko has 50 Premier League goals to his name from his four-and-a-half seasons with Manchester City. He has been plying his trade in Serie A since leaving them for Roma in 2015. Indeed, he went on to surpass the 50-goal barrier in the Italian top-flight too, just as he had done previously in the Bundesliga.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina international was on the move last summer, when Inter took him from Roma in order to replace Romelu Lukaku. But now that the Belgian is back at Inter after his Chelsea return did not go to plan, Dzeko is at risk.

What’s more, Inter are still in the battle to snap up Paulo Dybala after he was released by Juventus. There is a feeling, though, that they would only be able to take him if they can shift Dzeko and Angel Correa.

According to Gazzetta Dello Sport, Inter have already been approached by Dybala’s former club Juventus for Dzeko. However, they rejected the proposal from their rivals.

Other options could be in the pipeline for Dzeko, such as Napoli or Monza. But Gazzetta believe there is a chance he could end up back in the Premier League.

The Milan-based newspaper names Everton, Wolves and Leicester City as three potential takers for the 36-year-old.

Wolves did not have a player reach the double-figures barrier of goals in the 2021-22 season. Everton’s top scorer only managed 11 goals and has now left. Leicester were slightly better off with four players hitting more than 10 goals.

None of the three clubs managed to qualify for Europe ahead of the new season. Therefore, all will be aiming to strengthen their squads this summer.

Edin Dzeko still has plenty to offer

A move for Dzeko would have its benefits. Despite his age, he remains a reliable goalscorer. Indeed, with 17 goals from 49 appearances in his debut Inter season, Dzeko averages a goal within every three games.

Only Richarlison had a better ratio for Everton last season, and Vardy and Maddison for Leicester. No Wolves player was more efficient.

Dzeko’s pedigree as a Champions League-level player would also be largely beneficial for three clubs hoping to grow in the coming years, even if he would realistically only be a part of their projects for one or two seasons.

Therefore, it may be worth keeping an eye on his situation to see if a Premier League return could materialise.

Inter would not want to strengthen a direct rival, while Serie A newcomers Monza – although ambitious and with the backing of Silvio Berlusconi behind them – would seem too small for a player of his calibre.

Could that make a Premier League move the most favourable for Dzeko? Or could the former Wolfsburg man head back to the Bundesliga, where he also has suitors? Only time will tell, but movement could be expected.

Everton Edin Dzeko