ContinueArsenal legend Ray Parlour has suggested that the Gunners could swap wantaway striker Robin van Persie for Edin Dzeko, as reports fevourishly claim that the Dutchman is on his way to the Premier League champions.
Parlour, who enjoyed a trophy-laden twelve years at Arsenal, told talkSPORT that a swap deal could well be on the cards as the club's hierarchy weigh up whether to hold on to Van Persie for the remaining year on his contract, or cash-in on him this summer.
“I don’t know what Arsenal will look at, but if [Van Persie] does want to go to Manchester City then maybe they could look at a swap deal with someone like Dzeko and bring him in,” he said.
“His wages might be a problem. I don’t know what kind of wages Dzeko is on at Manchester City and Arsenal have always had that pay structure that they want to keep to and maybe they have to change that.”
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has not been secret in his admiration for Van Persie and is known to be monitoring his situation intently, with a protracted move thought to be on the cards.
Van Persie's arrival would surely spell the end of Dzeko's City career, as competition increases for positions in the star-studded strike force.
Should the clubs agree a switch of the two players, Arsenal would gain a ready-made replacement for Van Persie, who boasts strength and technical ability, as well as vast experience at intenational and European level.
Dzeko was a stand-out performer during his time at Wolfsburg, leading the German side to the 2008/09 Bundesliga title, and while he enjoyed an instant impact at City following his 2011 switch, he failed to nail down a consistent starting spot last season following the arrival of Sergio Aguero.
