It is understood that while Dzeko appears set to
join City
— with one club source on Tuesday claiming a “decisive
move” is being made this week for the Wolfsburg striker — Luiz may
move to Chelsea if Benfica
lower their excessive demands. They have quoted a fee of €40
million (£34 million) for the 23-year-old Brazilian who is wanted
by Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti and who can play in any position
across defence and as a holding midfielder.
However, the Portuguese club may now realise that their
expectations are unrealistic, especially as it is well known that
they are desperate for cash and have been touting left-back Fabio
Coentrao to Europe’s leading clubs, including Bayern Munich, for
€20 million (£17 million) — €10 million less than his release
clause.
Indeed City’s football administrator, Brian Marwood, is believed
to have been in Spain at the weekend to watch Victor Ruiz play for
Espanyol against Barcelona, but who is now regarded as a strong
alternative to Luiz.
The 21-year-old left-sided defender would cost around €15
million (£13 million) although City hope to secure him for
less.
Ruiz is in no rush to leave the Catalan club but it is thought
they are keen to cash in on one of the rising stars of Spanish
football.
Intriguingly Chelsea and City are both planning to strengthen in
the same areas of the team next month — central defence and centre
forward.
Chelsea have already been offered striker Hugo Almeida and have
been considering whether to sign the Portuguese international who
has failed to agree a new contract at Werder Bremen, with his deal
expiring next summer.
However, Ancelotti is understood to be unconvinced about
Almeida, who has also interested Lazio, and the 26 year-old now
appears set to join Turkish club Besiktas who are prepared to meet
his wage demands of €2.5 million (£2 million) a year, net of
tax.
It is believed Ancelotti would like Chelsea to bid for Carlos
Tévez but it will be virtually impossible to prise him away from
City — for now — after his transfer-request withdrawal.
Dzeko has been monitored by both City and Chelsea for some time
and both have also balked at the price being quoted for him by
Wolfsburg which, at one time, was close to €50 million (£42
million) but has since dropped to a more negotiable fee.
There is no pressure for the German club to sell but the
24-year-old Bosnian, who had set his sights on a move to Serie A
last year, is determined to secure a transfer to England with his
representative having been a guest at the Manchester derby earlier
this season.
His arrival would facilitate the exit of Roque Santa Cruz — who
City signed instead of Dzeko — and, probably, Emmanuel Adebayor, as
manager Roberto Mancini steps up his plans to reshape his squad for
the second half of the season.
City also hope to move on Shaun Wright-Phillips and Shay Given
while if either Luiz or Ruiz signs, the club will attempt to
offload both Wayne Bridge and Joleon Lescott next month.
Chelsea understand that they also have to be active in the
transfer window. Ancelotti has received a personal assurance from
club owner Roman Abramovich that funds will be made available next
month to strengthen his squad and he is determined to test that
promise.
As expected, Chelsea announced on Tuesday that winger Gaël
Kakuta has signed a new 4½-year contract.
