The Daily Star claims that Arsenal want Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko.
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The 29-year-old Bosnian forward had an injury-hit campaign last season and with Raheem Sterling and Wilfried Bony arriving at the Etihad Stadium over the past six months, Dzeko’s playing time with the Citizens could diminish even further. The Gunners have plenty of attacking options too, with Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott able to play centrally and the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain out wide. However, the Star reports that Arsenal are worried about the burden on Giroud and the lingering knee issues Welbeck has been suffering from. Dzeko is likely to cost upwards of $25 million. Dzeko has scored 71 goals in 185 games for City, winning two Premier League titles since arriving from Wolfsburg in 2010.
[ MORE: United could add “surprise” striker ]
Elsewhere, the Daily Mirror claims that Manchester United are willing to trigger Pedro’s release clause of $30 million if Angel di Maria leaves Ols Trafford for Paris Saint-Germain. The 27-year-old Barcelona forward has seen his playing time decrease at the Nou Camp in recent seasons and with Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez taking the soccer world by storm last season, he may have to move on from the only club he has ever known in order to fulfill his potential. United boss van Gaal has hinted that he may sign a “surprise” striker between the now and the end of the transfer window. A predatory striker of Pedro’s nature who can play centrally or out wide might just fit the bill.
Newcastle United is expected to sign Serbian forward Aleksandar Mitrovic after the 20-year-old was spotted at Newcastle Airport. Mitrovic will arrive from Anderlecht for $20 million and the towering striker scored 44 goals in 90 games for the Belgian club which included a goal against Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League. The Daily Mail claims that his teammate at Anderlecht, Chancel Mbemba, will also join Newcastle in the coming days. Mbemba, also 20, has already made 16 appearances for DR Congo and is regarded as the top central defender in the Belgian Pro League. All of this comes after the Magpies signed Dutch international midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum for $21 million last week.
Wrapping things up, the Daily Star say the race for Charlie Austin now includes four Premier League teams with Bournemouth and West Ham joining Newcastle United and Leicester City. The Queens Park Rangers forward, 25, scored 18 goals in his debut PL season but suffered relegation with the R’s. Austin broke into the English national team over the summer and would be a starter for any of the four aforementioned teams as his meteoric rise from semi-pro soccer to a leading PL marksman continues. Austin’s transfer fee is said to be putting a lot of teams off though, with QPR asking for offers in excess of $30 million for their main man.