Edin Dzeko’s transfer to Chelsea to be decided in the next 24 hours — report

There are five days left in the January transfer window, and time is running out for Chelsea to make any additional moves beyond the opportunistic signing of Ross Barkley at the beginning of the month.

Granted, Chelsea often delay business until deadline day for some unfathomable reason, so perhaps we should just fast forward to then, but according to this morning’s reports in Italy, the next 24 hours will bring closure one way or another on at least the Edin Dzeko situation.

The report comes from Rome-based daily Il Tempo (via Football Italia), who add that the hang-up is not between the two clubs but rather between Chelsea and Dzeko, mostly over — as one would expect given his age — contract length. Il Tempo claims Chelsea are only offering a 1.5-year deal (in line with the club’s policy for players over 30); but Dzeko already has a contract that extends beyond that at Roma.

It’s unclear if this situation can be resolved — and that’s before we consider the Conte angle — but apparently we’ll know in the next 24 hours.

Stay tuned.