Edin Dzeko could be a 'realistic' January transfer target for Newcastle United, Keith Downie has told GiveMeSport

The lowdown

The Bosnia international is familiar to English fans following his stint at Manchester City, which lasted five years. He joined from Wolfsburg in 2011 for a fee of £33.3m and left to join AS Roma in 2016.

From the Italian capital, he moved on to reigning Serie A champions Inter on a free transfer last summer. Dzeko scored 72 goals for Man City, including 50 in the Premier League, and twice won the top-flight title on these shores.

The latest

Sky Sports reporter Downie talked up the possibility of a 'short-term' move for Dzeko, who would bring valuable 'experience'.

He told GiveMeSport: "A Dzeko or similar, who have played here before, they know how to score goals and have got experience behind them, I think that would be a lot more realistic, providing it's on a short-term deal."

The verdict

Dzeko may be 35 but he still looks to be a reliable goalscorer, with 11 in 24 matches for Inter so far in 2021/22, whilst also contributing five assists.

That's why it would be somewhat surprising if Inter, who have a Champions League round of 16 tie against Liverpool on the horizon and are battling to retain the Serie A title, were to let him go this month.

Nonetheless, if the deal is indeed realistic, then Newcastle would enter the second half of the campaign with ample firepower in the form of Wilson and Dzeko, who has been described as a 'legend' by football journalist Zach Lowy.

Eddie Howe could even revert to the two-striker system that he has predominantly used, in the knowledge that Dzeko formed a lethal partnership with Lautaro Martinez at San Siro.

In other news, Newcastle are also keen on this 'big six' midfielder