Edin Dzeko, the esteemed international striker from Bosnia and Herzegovina, had reportedly reached an agreement to transfer to Juventus in 2020. However, his former agent, Silvano Martina, revealed that AS Roma ultimately blocked the move.
The veteran striker, who recently turned 38, continues to demonstrate his prowess. He scored a vital goal that led his national team to a 1-1 draw against Wales, eventually winning a penalty shootout to set up a crucial play-off final against Italy for a spot in a major international tournament.
Dzeko has had a decorated career, including significant stints in Serie A with Roma and Inter Milan, before his current move to Fenerbahce. However, his career trajectory almost took a different path, as confirmed by Martina.
When Dzeko Nearly Joined Juventus
Martina told Italian media that “Dzeko had already signed with Juventus.” He elaborated, stating that “everything was finalized with Fabio Paratici” (then Juventus’s Sporting Director). However, Roma intervened, refusing to sanction the transfer because Arek Milik, intended as Dzeko’s replacement, had failed his medical examination, leaving the Giallorossi without a suitable alternative.
Consequently, Dzeko ultimately joined Inter Milan on a free transfer at the end of that season. Martina added that Paratici, unable to delay further, subsequently secured a deal for Alvaro Morata instead.
Dzeko was expected to feature prominently in a subsequent crucial match for a spot in a major tournament, despite the physical demands of the recent game against Wales. Martina attributed Dzeko’s longevity to his “incredible professionalism,” highlighting his consistent work rate, often covering over 10km per game. While acknowledging a slight decrease in pace, the agent emphasized Dzeko’s enduring ability to convert chances when provided with good service, predicting his strong motivation for important fixtures.
Across his tenure in Serie A, Dzeko amassed 279 appearances, registering 107 goals and 50 assists. He claimed the Serie A Capocannoniere title in 2017 with 29 goals during his time at Roma. Later, with Inter, he added two Coppa Italia trophies and two Supercoppa Italiana titles to his achievements.
