• Premier League

Pellegrini: Dzeko is my main striker

ESPN staff
August 15, 2013
Dzeko has enjoyed a fruitful pre-season © PA Photos
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Manchester City are likely to reject any offers with Edin Dzeko as Arsenal have been linked with the Bosnian striker.

Arsene Wenger has reportedly turned to Dzeko after failing to sign Gonzalo Higuain, struggling to prise Luis Suarez away from Liverpool, and missing out on Luiz Gustavo.

The 27-year-old seemed likely to leave the Etihad Stadium at the end of last season, when Borussia Dortmund were interested in him and Dzeko was disenchanted at being left on the bench by former manager Roberto Mancini.

But although new manager Manuel Pellegrini has signed two other forwards, in Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic, he has made it clear Dzeko plays a pivotal part in his plans.

"I consider Dzeko the main striker of the team," the Chilean said last month, confirming that Dzeko is his first-choice forward.

And Dzeko has said: "The manager gives me confidence. I feel different because someone who is important has trust in you, and that is good."

The former Wolfsburg forward, who joined City in January 2011, was their top scorer in the Premier League last season with 14 goals but only started 16 games as Mancini preferred to pick Carlos Tevez alongside Sergio Aguero.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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