Edin Dzeko’s brace highlights missed transfer opportunity for Marcel Brands and Everton

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Everton have been linked with a number of new strikers during the January transfer window and Edin Dzeko was one name that has been mentioned.

According to Italian media outlet Calcio Mercato, Everton were readying a January bid for Dzeko.

But Calcio Mercato later reported that Marcel Brands – Everton’s Sporting Director – has explicitly ruled out a swoop for Dzeko this month.

This is already looking like a mistake after Dzeko showed Everton exactly what they were missing over the weekend.

The 32-year-old showed his clinical side by scoring a brace for Roma in their away league game against Atalanta.

This helped Roma race into a three-goal lead, although they imploded and ended up drawing the game 3-3.

Dzeko’s ability in front of goal is exceptional. He has scored 82 goals in 161 games for Roma, after a spell which saw him hit 72 goals in 189 games for Manchester City.

A move to Everton could have been an ideal short-term fix for the Toffees with Dominic Calvert-Lewin not quite ready, Cenk Tosun out of favour and Oumar Niasse joining Cardiff City.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina international is a presence up front and he can score goals with his head and his feet.

Brands might have shot himself in the foot by ruling out a short-term deal for the veteran striker, who impressed at the weekend for Roma.