Chelsea target Roma's Edin Dzeko to bolster misfiring attack

Antonio Conte is determined to bring in an alternative to Alvaro Morata and it is understood that Dzeko and Tottenham's Fernando Llorente are the main targets

Miguel Delaney
Chief Football Writer
Friday 19 January 2018 10:20 GMT
Comments
Premier League transfer round-up: Latest deals from the January window

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

Roma’s Edin Dzeko is the latest striker Chelsea are targeting, as they finally seek to bolster their forward options, having failed to do so in the summer.

Antonio Conte and the board are determined to bring in an alternative to the currently misfiring Alvaro Morata and it is understood that Dzeko and Tottenham Hotspur’s Fernando Llorente - who the champions just missed out on in August - are the main targets.

Dzeko has enjoyed a resurgence at Roma and was brilliant against Chelsea in their Champions League group games, scoring in the 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge.

The champions have also looked at West Ham United’s Andy Carroll and Stoke City’s Peter Crouch.

Sevilla want Michy Batshuayi either on loan or on a permanent basis, although no deal will be sanctioned until Conte has an alternative attacking option.

The Belgian striker has struggled at Stamford Bridge despite scoring the goal at West Bromwich Albion that clinched last season's title, and has never fully adapted to Conte's methods.

As such, the Italian has been reluctant to use him from the start in games but that goal against West Brom and recent strikes against Atletico Madrid and Watford illustrate Batshuayi has been a valuable sub, though, so Conte doesn't want to let him leave until there is another option.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in