Dzeko: De Bruyne should stay at Wolfsburg

Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko believes former Chelsea midfielder Kevin de Bruyne should stay at VfL Wolfsburg despite ongoing speculation linking him with a summer move to the Etihad Stadium.

The Belgium international, 24, helped Wolfsburg win the DFB-Pokal and achieve a second-place finish in the Bundesliga last season by tallying 10 goals and 20 assists in 34 league appearances.

Now, according to the Manchester Evening News, De Bruyne is being linked with a move back to the English Premier League, with City believed to be leading the race for the Belgian’s signature.

However, Dzeko has hinted the 24-year-old midfielder may be better off plying his trade at the Volkswagen Arena for at least another season.

“Top players like Kevin De Bruyne won’t stay at Wolfsburg forever,” Dzeko told Kicker. 

“Everybody dreams of one day playing for a leading international club. It was the same with me after we won the league in 2009 – I had the desire to do something different.

“Kevin has an advantage. Through his time at Chelsea, he knows the Premier League and knows that it’s completely different.

“A lot of players who excelled in other leagues have had problems here – take Angel Di Maria.”

Dzeko added: “I’m certain that [Kevin] has what it takes to play for one of the top clubs in Europe but he’s also aware that at these clubs there are 20 top players who always want to be on the pitch.

“Maybe it would also help him if he plays in the Champions League with Wolfsburg this season and takes another step in his development there.”

Manchester City are priced at 4/7 to be Kevin de Bruyne’s next permanent club.

Martinez signs for Atletico

Atletico Madrid have completed the signing of Colombia international striker Jackson Martinez from FC Porto in a deal reportedly worth €35 million.

Having penned a four-year deal at the Estadio Vicente Calderón, Martinez, who joined Porto from Liga MX side Chiapas for $11 million in the summer of 2012, will replace Mario Mandžukić as the club’s No. 1 striker next season.

“We are very pleased with the agreement, because Jackson Martinez is an extraordinary striker, able to rapidly solve any attacking play inside the box.

“Thanks to his size, he heads very well and interchangeably uses either foot to shoot. I am sure that he will greatly increase the potential of our team and will bring plenty to the group.

“We are delighted with his signing because he is a football player used to competing at a top level in Porto and has shone brightly in important competitions such as the Champions League.”