Edin Dzeko will start Roma’s preseason friendly against Real Madrid tomorrow, the Giallorossi’s head coach Paulo Fonseca confirmed today.

Inter are increasingly confident of securing a deal for the former Manchester City striker, but Roma’s position remains as uncompromising as ever for now.

Sporting director Gianluca Petrachi does not have a replacement lined up for Dzeko and this is forcing the club to hold firm on their €20 million asking price.

Fonseca told Sky Sport: “Our attacking play hinges on Dzeko. He’s our player and that’s what we’re working on.

“At the moment we’re not considering the possibility he could leave. We’re working towards the first game of the season and I’m absolutely counting upon him [to be there].”

Roma have reportedly identified Mauro Icardi as a possible successor to Dzeko in the capital, timidly offering a player-push-cash deal to Inter in recent weeks.

Fonseca refused to confirm the interest for Maurito, however, reminding everyone he was not Roma’s player.

He added: “Icardi is a great player, but like I’ve always said I will only speak about my players. He’s not with us, at the moment I’m counting upon other people.”