Hoeness calm amidst Dzeko-frenzy

(GSM) – Wolfsburg managing director Dieter Hoeness is remaining calm after reports surfaced that star striker Edin Dzeko is close to concluding a British record transfer to Manchester City.

Reports on Thursday suggested that Dzeko’s representatives had held talks with City, with Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern München also interested in the Bosnian striker.

While the 24-year-old has a buy-out clause to the value of 40 million euros inserted in his contract, it is set to expire on Monday.

And with the absence of the clause, City are believed to be working hard to bring Dzeko to the club as they embark on another summer of ambitious spending, with German sources confident the deal will be done.

Dzeko’s agent, Alen Augustinovic, on being contacted by Soccernet said: “The only thing I can tell you is that the option expires on Monday and then we will see what will happen.”

But it seems managing director Hoeness has adopted a relaxed attitude to the uncertainty surrounding Dzeko. Hoeness, who when working at Hertha BSC in 2001 saw Arsenal attempt to exploit a comparable contractual situation, is unwilling to let the transfer manoeuvres distract him.

“I was in a similar situation at Hertha,” Hoeness told the Wolfsburger Allgemeine.

“Back then, Marko Rehmer could have left for 15 million German Marks and Arsenal were very much interested.

“His importance for VfL is clearly bigger than Rehmer’s importance was for Hertha at the time. I concentrate more intensely on things I can change. So I need to have tranquillity in Dzeko’s case.”