Wages are key to ex-Man City star's chances of joining Sunderland

Ex-Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko would need to take a HUGE pay cut if a move to Sunderland was to become a reality.
Edin DzekoEdin Dzeko
Edin Dzeko

Widespread reports in Italy yesterday linked Sunderland with a shock £11million bid for Roma frontman Dzeko, just 12 months after he left Man City to join the Serie A giants.

Dzeko has enjoy a modest first campaign at Roma after netting eight goals in 31 Serie A appearances, which has prompted speculation over whether the 30-year-old could be on the move again this summer.

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But while Sunderland are certainly in the market for a targetman this summer and are looking to add quality recruits to the squad, Dzeko’s salary at Roma immediately makes any switch highly unlikely.

Dzeko’s pay packet is reported to be around £130,000 a week, which is roughly double Sunderland’s top earner on a wage bill which is already far too bloated for the Black Cats’ recent finishes in the Premier League table.

While Sunderland may have to lift their wage ceiling this summer in light of the new television deal - particularly if last season’s loanee Yann M’Vila is to return to the Stadium of Light - chairman Ellis Short has always been cautious of the sums paid out to individuals.

There have also been suggestions in Italy that Dzeko - a target for Sunderland during Ricky Sbragia’s brief managerial reign - would not be willing to move to the Stadium of Light anyway.

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However, Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce is thought to be keen on bringing in a more orthodox targetman up front this summer, with Player of the Year Jermain Defoe currently the only central striker on the club’s books.

Allardyce wants a new attacking recruit who can be both an alternative to Defoe AND an option to play alongside the 33-year-old.

Sunderland made an approach for West Ham’s Diafra Sakho earlier this month and the Senegal international remains on the radar, while sources close to ex-Newcastle target Bas Dost claim the Black Cats are interested in the 6ft 5in Wolfsburg targetman.