Sunderland among host of European clubs offered ex-Manchester City man Edin Dzeko

Sunderland are one of many clubs across Europe who have been offered the services of ex-Manchester City frontman Edin Dzeko.
Edin DzekoEdin Dzeko
Edin Dzeko

Speculation persists in Italy over a Sunderland move to bring Dzeko back to the Premier League, with a new striker the priority for Sam Alladyce in the transfer market this summer.

However, it is thought that Dzeko has been touted around a host of sides – including Sunderland and Bundesliga side Schalke – with major question marks over his future at Roma after just eight Serie A goals following a move from Man City 12 months ago.

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Agents have been made aware of Sunderland’s need for an addition to their attacking ranks, and the Black Cats were among those clubs offered the services of Dzeko as a consequence.

Sunderland would clearly be interested in a player of Dzeko’s ability, yet the Bosnian international’s £130,000 a week wages are well in excess of what the Black Cats would be willing to pay.

There are also doubts over whether Sunderland would splash out an £11million on a 30-year-old, despite transfer fees becoming bloated by the new television deal.

But with West Ham’s Diafra Sakho also on Allardyce’s radar, an addition to Sunderland’s attacking ranks is at the forefront of the club’s transfer plans for this summer.

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Sunderland are expected to spend a significant chunk of their transfer budget on a new striker – likely to be the biggest purchase of Allardyce’s close season signings.

With Jermain Defoe the only other orthodox central frontman available to Allardyce after the departures of out-of-contract Danny Graham and Steven Fletcher, plus on-loan Dame N’Doye, it is a clear area where Sunderland require reinforcements.

However, Sunderland will still need another four or five additions to the squad before the end of the summer transfer window, which formally opens on Friday.

As the Echo reported earlier this month, a right-back, box-to-box midfielder, centre-half and attacking midfielder are also on Allardyce’s wish-list.