AS Roma manager Paulo Fonseca has said that Edin Dzeko remains a valuable player in the club’s ranks despite the ongoing speculation regarding his future. The Bosnia international has been linked with a potential move to Inter Milan this summer but so far, the Nerazzurri have not been able to convince the Giallorossi into a transfer agreement.

Speaking to reporters, Fonseca said that his immediate focus lies on the forthcoming friendly game against Real Madrid. He added that he is more concentrated on the attacking facet of the team and Dzeko remains an important player within the club’s ranks ahead of the new league season, he told: "Tomorrow we will play with courage against Real Madrid. I am not worried about deficiencies on the defensive level, I am particularly interested in developing a proposal offensive football. We will find the balance, we are working on it. Dzeko will play tomorrow from the beginning, our game is about him. At the moment we are not considering his release, I count on him in view of the first championship."

The Nerazzurri recently spent a club-record fee to secure the signature of Romelu Lukaku from Manchester United and the Belgian is expected to lead the attack next term. Aside from him, the San Siro giants have the likes of Mauro Icardi and Lautaro Martinez to bank upon, but the former has been told that he has no future under current boss Antonio Conte.

As a result, it appears that the Milan-based outfit are on the hunt for another marksman and Dzeko seems to fit their requirements with the league experience and being available on the cheaper side. The former Manchester City man has been valued at around £20m and it remains to be seen whether Conte’s side can prise him away from Roma before the transfer deadline on August 18.