• Premier League

Mancini: Dzeko can go for right price

ESPN staff
March 8, 2013
Edin Dzeko joined Manchester City from Wolfsburg in 2011 © Getty Images
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Roberto Mancini has hinted Edin Dzeko may leave Manchester City in the summer, but has warned potential suitors that only offers above €20 million will be considered.

Mancini's comments came in response to reports linking Dzeko with a return to the Bundesliga. While acknowledging the importance of the 26-year-old to his squad, Mancini stated he would be willing to listen to offers in the coming months.

"Edin is an important player for us," he told Sky Italia. "At this time we have not spoken about the transfer market as there are still 10 games to go [this season].

"But in June anything can happen. If a player asks me to leave, we will evaluate the situation - this applies for all players.

"Dzeko, for me, is a great player. In Italy he could score more than 20 goals a season but he would cost €20 million (£17 million), maybe more."

The City manager also took the opportunity to play down a training ground scuffle with Mario Balotelli. Reports have claimed the bust-up resulted in Balotelli's exit to AC Milan in January, but Mancini insists the incident was blown out of proportion.

"Those were lies reported by the tabloids and photographers who were here, because there was absolutely nothing," he said. "We were playing a training match, we were playing in opposing teams, he made a foul and I shoved him and sent him away.

"Mario has improved but I think he won't change at all; he will continue to make mistakes even when he is 30. But the important thing is that he understands that he can and should give more on the field, because the best is expected from a player like him every time."

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