Inter’s hopes of signing Edin Dzeko are fading after Roma took the striker off the transfer market, Gazzetta dello Sport reported this morning.
The Giallorossi are no longer prepared to accept cash-only offers for the Bosnian, who was informed of the development by his agent Silvano Martina.
Sporting director Gianluca Petrachi believes there is not enough time to find a suitable replacement for Dzeko, who has proven himself the perfect centre-forward for Paulo Fonseca’s style of play.
Dzeko wants a move to Inter after agreeing personal terms months ago, but it appears this will make little difference now.
Inter’s only hope of securing Antonio Conte’s second key transfer target now is by swapping Dzeko with Mauro Icardi.
Roma are interested in the Nerazzurri’s former captain and willing to offer €30 million plus Dzeko, but Maurito has informed them he is still waiting on Juventus.
Napoli have reached €55-60 million with their latest offer for Icardi while Monaco made an approach for the first time yesterday.
But Icardi remains convinced he will end up with the Bianconeri by 2 September, perhaps following reassurances from the club’s hierarchy, and is not prepared to listen to other offers.
The 26-year-old would only reconsider his position if Juventus had not made their move by the final few days of the transfer window.
Inter’s €80 million asking price for Icardi is higher than Roma’s valuation would be within their cash-plus-player offer, but that is clearly not the biggest stumbling block to a deal for now.