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Edin Dzeko holds the key to Manchester City winning the race for Raheem Sterling, writes Neil Moxley in the Sunday People.

The Bosnia striker is being lined up as the make-weight in a £50m deal for the Liverpool forward.

Dzeko, 29, is being offered to the Reds as the battle intensifies to secure the signature of the England striker - with Arsenal now also in hot pursuit.

Manchester City were initially hopeful that a straight cash deal would be enough to tip the balance in their favour.

But it appears that a player-plus-cash deal - with the club also halting any attempt to prevent James Milner’s move to Anfield with a mega-bucks deal - is on the table.

The recruitment of a top-class striker would certainly solve one major headache for Kop boss Brendan Rodgers.

And Dzeko was among those on his hit-list this summer as the Ulsterman considered his plans to re-build.

The swap would certainly suit the decision-makers at the Etihad who had been anticipating a £15m offer from Juventus for the forward.

But whether that would go down well with Sterling’s camp is another matter as the player still prefers a move back to the capital.

(Image: Alex Livesey)

It has always been accepted that Chelsea would head the queue but hardline statements from the players and his representatives this week that the Liverpool man will simply not be signing a new deal have led to Arsenal increasing their interest.

And that opens up the possibility of Arsene Wenger offering up one of his own squad in a move similar to the one being proposed by Manchester City.

Theo Walcott has not yet signed a new deal with the Gunners and is returning from a long-term injury.

He has always wanted to play down the centre - a position that Wenger also believes will end up as bringing the best out of the England man.