Inter are in talks with Roma over a possible swap deal that would see them drop Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez in exchange for Edin Dzeko.
Dzeko is set to leave the Italian capital this month after a monumental fallout with Roma boss Paulo Fonseca, with the Bosnian being ordered to train on his own until a buyer can be found.
Longtime Juventus admirers were quickly named as potential suitors, but according to Fabrizio Romano, Inter have now joined Dzeko’s signing race and offered Sanchez in return.
It is stressed that the negotiations are far from over and that there is obviously no certainty that this agreement will succeed, but it seems that both sides are open to doing business before the closure of the transfer window.
Dzeko is believed to have rejected advances from West Ham and Fenerbahce, instead waiting for a more glamorous offer. Corriere dello Sport claim his agent offered him to both Manchester United and Manchester City, but neither side seemed particularly interested.
The 34-year-old scored 16 Serie A goals last year and followed that with seven appearances in 15 so far this year, maintaining his reputation as one of the league’s deadliest strikers – which cannot be said for Sanchez.
After making his loan transfer to Inter permanent over the summer, Sanchez took on the role of replacement for the starting duo of Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez, while injuries prevented him from claiming any real claim to a starting role.
At Lukaku and Martinez, Inter have one of Serie A’s most prolific duos, but concerns about the lack of firepower behind them have long been suggested as a major issue. Right-backs Achraf Hakimi and Danilo D’Ambrosio are the team’s third and fourth top scorers, with Sanchez tied for fifth.
In his 12 appearances this year, Sanchez has scored just two goals and his lack of form has forced manager Antonio Conte to continue his search for a replacement striker.
Chelsea’s Olivier Giroud has long been touted as a potential option, although the Frenchman is now supposed to be on Roma’s radar as the perfect replacement for Dzeko. To complete the interminable three-way dance, Juventus is also keen on Giroud. How nice.
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