Inter money woes could halt City raid

Dzeko

Inter Milan could be forced to abandon plans to launch a big-money move for Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko as they are reportedly hindered by debt.

According to Tutto Mercato Web, owner Erick Thohir inherited more than £200m of debt when he bought the club from long-serving figurehead Massimo Moratti towards the end of last year.

The report claims that figure has been reduced in recent months, but the Serie A club’s financial restructuring throws into serious doubt their hopes of landing any forward who commands a large transfer fee.

Dzeko certainly falls into that category despite having only 12 months remaining on his current contract at the Etihad Stadium.

His stock has never been higher, having plundered 26 goals in all competitions last term and finding the back of the net at crucial times in the final weeks of his side’s successful Premier League title run-in.

Sources close to City told Football Express News they remain hopeful that the Bosnia international will pen a fresh extension to his deal after the World Cup.

They have no interest in sending him out on loan and, unless he expresses a desire to leave and a replacement is found, they would rather see him enter the final year of his contract with negotiations ongoing than sell him in the summer transfer window.