Bosnia and Herzegovina international Edin Dzeko had ‘already agreed a move to Juventus’ in 2020, said his former agent, until Roma pulled the plug.
The striker is still going strong just days after his 40th birthday and scored the goal that took his country to a 1-1 draw with Wales on Thursday, beating them in a penalty shoot-out to set up the World Cup play-off final with Italy.
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He spent a lot of his career in Serie A, representing Roma, Inter and Fiorentina before the move to Schalke 04 in January.
However, it could’ve been very different, as confirmed by his old agent Silvano Martina.
When Dzeko nearly joined Juventus
ROME, ITALY – NOVEMBER 18: Daniele De Rossi and Edin Dzeko of AS Roma celebrate the victory after the Serie A match between AS Roma and SS Lazio at Stadio Olimpico on November 18, 2017 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
“Dzeko had already signed with Juventus,” Martina told La Stampa newspaper, via Tuttomercatoweb.
“It was all done with Fabio Paratici, but then Roma called to say they wouldn’t let him leave, because Arek Milik had failed a medical, so there was no replacement.
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“He ended up going to Inter at the end of the season for free instead. Paratici couldn’t wait any longer, so he did a deal for Alvaro Morata instead.”
REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – AUGUST 28: Edin Dzeko of ACF Fiorentina celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Europa Conference League 2025/2026 Play-Off 1st leg match between ACF Fiorentina and FC Polissya Zhytomyr at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on August 28, 2025 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Dzeko is expected to start on Tuesday in the showdown for a place at the 2026 World Cup, despite the fatigue of the draw with Wales.
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“He is still playing at this age because he is an incredible professional. He always runs so much, over 10km per game. Clearly, he’s lost a bit in terms of pace, but if he gets the right service, he’ll put it into the net. He’ll be particularly fired up for this match.”
Dzeko made 279 appearances in Serie A, scoring 107 goals and providing 50 assists.
He was Serie A Capocannoniere in 2017 with 29 goals, winning two Coppa Italia trophies and two editions of the Supercoppa Italiana, all with Inter.
