With the future of Arsenal’s captain Robin van Persie still far from conclusion, new English champions Manchester City are circling around the Dutchman like hungry sharks and a swap deal may arise.
Former Arsenal man Ray Parlour believes that a deal could possibly be worked out which could see van Persie head to the Etihad Stadium, and City’s out-of-favor striker Edin Dzeko coming the other way.
Van Persie’s announcement regarding his decision of not renewing his contract with the Gunners have put City on alert, whose manager Roberto Mancini is a known admirer of the Dutch striker, and has made his wish clear of landing last season’s Premier League top scorer.
Dzeko, on the other hand, has not been able to live up to the billing since joining the Citizens, and is now behind Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero and Mario Balotelli in the pecking order. With the Bosnian international seeking regular first-team football, Parlour believes that Dzeko could swap the blue of City with the red and white of Arsenal next season.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Parlour said, “I don’t know what Arsenal will look at, but if [Van Persie] does want to go to Manchester City then maybe they could look at a swap deal with someone like Dzeko and bring him in,”
“His wages might be a problem. I don’t know what kind of wages Dzeko is on at Manchester City and Arsenal have always had that pay structure that they want to keep to and maybe they have to change that.
“Times are moving on and if you want the best players they go for the best money.”