Arsenal and Roma battle for City star while Liverpool offload flop

Posted Sunday, July 26, 2015 by Express.co.uk

ARSENAL and Roma are set to go head to head this week to sign Edin Dzeko from Manchester City.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini has cleared the way for the Bosnian to leave The Eitihad for around £18million.

And after failing to persuade Real Madrid to let them have Karim Benzema Arsenal are eyeing City's 29-year-old to provide the extra firepower - and competition up front - that Arsene Wenger thinks they need.

The only stumbling block is the price. The Gunners value him at no more than £14million.

Roma, who have already had a £12million bid for Dzeko knocked back, are expected to return with an increased offer.

The Italians are also hoping to complete the capture of Mohamed Salah from Chelsea on a season-long £1.5million loan deal with a£14million option to buy him next summer.

Liverpool are hoping to offload big money flop Mario Balotelli - possibly on loan to the Italian third tier club Lupa Castelli.

The minnows president Marco Amelia has thrown the sulking striker a bizarre lifeline, saying: "Our friend Balotelli needs a fresh start and we are prepared to give it to him if he's willing. I hope to talk to him soon."

Arsenal and Roma battle for City star while Liverpool offload flop
Edin Dzeko is linked with a move away from Manchester City with Roma and Arsenal interested

Southampton and Newcastle are in competition for Hull City defender James Chester. Saints are lining up an £8million bid for him after losing Romanian defender Florin Gardod with a knee injury until next year.

Newcastle, who are still hoping to lure QPR striker Charlie Austin to Tyneside, fancy Chester to Bolster a defence already strengthened with the expected signing of Chancel Mbema from Anderlecht this weekend.

Everton are eyeing Sporting Lisbon winger Diego Capel if the unsettled Kevin Mirallas opts for a £10million move to West Ham. The Toffees, still desperately trying to fend off interest from Chelsea in England defender John Stones, have also let promising left back Luke Garbutt move to Fulham on a season-long loan.

Arsenal and Roma battle for City star while Liverpool offload flop
Mario Balotelli has been linked with a move to Italian third tier club Lupa Castelli

Sunderland are looking to sell Scottish international striker Steven Fletcher to Swansea in an £8million deal that would help fund a move for midfielder Moussa Dembele from Spurs.

Injury jinxed midfielder Abou Diaby hopes to complete a free transfer to West Brom tomorrow after having a medical there over the weekend. The Frenchman suffered 40 separate injuries in nine years at Arsenal.

Didier Drogba is mulling over a £650,000 offer to play just four months for Atletico de Kolkata in the Indian Super League after being freed by Chelsea.

Leicester City, desperate to find a successor for the departed Esteban Cambiasso, are eyeing Sporting Lisbon's Algerian international Islam Slimani for the role. But they face competition for the 27-year-old playmaker's services from Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.