EDIN DZEKO once snapped “I can stay in Rome or go to pouring rain of Merseyside to play for Everton” when asked about a possible transfer.
The former Manchester City striker, 34, was asked about a possible move to the Toffees last summer – who were keen to add some much-needed firepower.
But commentator Ian Darke has revealed when colleague Owen Hargreaves asked Dzeko whether he’d be keen, the Bosnian snapped at him, saying he’d never swap sun-kissed Rome for drizzly Merseyside.
Speaking about why some players opt to play in Spain or Italy over England, Darke revealed: “I do think climate comes into…
“I’ll tell you a story here: we were out covering a Roma game in the Champions League.
“And Owen Hargreaves, who was the co-commentator with me, got to speak to Edin Dzeko, who played for Roma.
“After the game, [Hargreaves] said: ‘Everton are interested in you, you know’.
“And he said: ‘What do you think I’m going to decide? I can stay in Rome or go to the pouring rain of Merseyside to play for Everton?
“‘Please don’t ask me that one again’.”
Dzeko has continued to impress at Roma, having scored 12 goals in 25 matches already this season.
And not only is the Bosnian not keen on a return to England, he’s now trying to convince Arsenal star Henrikh Mkhitaryan to make his loan move to the Italian capital permanent.
Dzeko revealed: “I have always liked [Mkhitaryan] as a footballer.
“Now that I have known him I can say that he is a very good person and a fantastic player, we want to keep him and we hope that he stays.
“We need people like him to make important results.”
