Report: Everton-linked £130k-a-week striker training alone, stripped of captain’s armband

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Reported Everton target Edin Dzeko is believed to be training alone after a fallout with his manager, according to Sky Italia.

The Toffees are said to be in pursuit for the Roma striker, who previously shone at Manchester City.

However, West Ham are also thought to be in the race for Dzeko, who looks as though his time at the Stadio Olimpico is nearing its end.

The Bosnia & Herzegovina international is reported to have had a fallout with Diego Fonseca after last Tuesday’s Coppa Italia defeat to Spezia.

The following day, the two apparently clashed again at Roma’s Trigoria training ground, with Dzeko allegedly stripped of the captain’s armband in front of his teammates.

The 34-year-old wasn’t in the matchday squad for the Serie A home game with Spezia, which Fonseca’s side won 4-3.

And according to Sky Italia, Dzeko has since een training alone, and with the situation having deteriorated, it remains to be seen whether he still has a future at the club.

The report adds that the £130,000-a-week man is on the transfer list, though he’s apparently only open to a move if it’s to an elite club.

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Dzeko is no doubt a top player who has done well over the years and remains prolific despite being in the twilight of his career, with 114 goals in 242 appearances for Roma.

In addition, he is proven at Premier League level, so he wouldn’t necessarily be a bad shout for Everton, at first glance.

However, even though his contract is up next season and Roma could well want to offload him, he does have a high salary.

And given Dzeko will be 35 in two months’ time, the Toffees could surely find a younger alternative on similar wages.