Wolfsburg reveal Dzeko back-up plan

442 Staff - Wednesday 17 June 2009, 22:36

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Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg have revealed they are already forming a back-up plan should star striker Edin Dzeko leave the club this summer.

The Bosnian front-man's 26 league goals in 2008/09 - alongside strike-partner Grafite's 28 - helped fire the Wolves to their first ever German league crown under Felix Magath.

His devastating form alerted a string of English big-hitters including Spurs, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal, while AC Milan were reported to have signed a pre-agreement with the striker, giving the Italians first option on the in-form front-man.

Wolfsburg insist that no deal has been struck with any club for Dzeko's services.

But they have revealed that should their prize asset leave during the close-season, potential targets to replace him are already being lined up.

Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch, CSKA Moscow front-man Wagner Love and Hamburg's Mladen Petric are all believed to be on the hit-list.

“Edin has to make a decision regarding his future, but we are in no hurry to sell him," chairman Hans Dieter Potsch told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“We just want him to speak with the new manager [Armin] Veh in order to know the club’s plans for the future.

“Then, he can decide to stay or to move to Italy. Whatever happens, Grafite won’t be on his own up front.

“We have already identified four targets who would be happy to play Champions League with us next season. Petric and Vagner Love are part of the list, but the two other names are secret.”

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