Manchester City demand £25m for Dzeko as negotiations with AC Milan continue to stall

Manchester City demand €31.5m for Dzeko as negotiations with AC Milan continue to stall

Aug 6, 2012 12:40:00 PM

The Italian giants are willing to pay the Bosian's wages in full for the season with a view to a permanent move next summer, but Mancini is not interested in a temporary switch

EXCLUSIVE
By Greg Stobart

Manchester City are demanding €31.5 (£25) million for Edin Dzeko after rejecting an approach from AC Milan to sign the striker on a season-long loan.

City have told the Italian club that they will not entertain any offer to take the Bosnian on a temporary basis with a view to a permanent switch next summer.

However, Roberto Mancini is willing to listen to offers for Dzeko as he looks to raise funds and create room in the squad to bid for Arsenal captain Robin van Persie.

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Milan wanted to take Dzeko on loan and pay his £170,000-a-week (€215,000) wages in full - but City rejected their approach, just as they did when the Italian giants made a similar bid for Carlos Tevez in January.

The Premier League champions are also well aware that Milan received €65m (£50.5m) following the double sale of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva to Paris Saint-Germain last month.

Dzeko, who cost €34m (£27m) and has three years remaining on his contract, has complained about a lack of first-team opportunities after finding himself out of the side for much of last season - but still managed to score 14 Premier League goals.

And he hinted at the possibility of a summer transfer at the weekend, speaking after City's 2-0 friendly win over Wolfsburg, saying: "I always follow the Italian league and one day I would like to play in it. I also know that Milan has sold two of its best players.

"For now I am a City player, but to be sure I will stay here I will have to wait until the end of the month. I'll see what happens, and if someone else comes in."

However, Mancini insisted on Sunday that he does not expect Dzeko to leave City this summer.

"It’s pretty unlikely he will leave,” the Italian told reporters.

"He is right to say it’s no fun being on the bench but when you join a big club then competition is normal."

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