ARSENAL are favourites to beat Manchester City to the signature of Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko as an �8million replacement for Emmanuel Adebayor. (Mirror)Bosnian striker Dzeko, 23, hit 26 goals in 32 games in helping fire Wolfsburg to the Bundesliga title and Arsenal have registered their interest with his club.

ARSENAL are favourites to beat Manchester City to the signature of Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko as an �8million replacement for Emmanuel Adebayor. (Mirror)

Bosnian striker Dzeko, 23, hit 26 goals in 32 games in helping fire Wolfsburg to the Bundesliga title and Arsenal have registered their interest with his club.

Gunners coach Boro Primorac has been out to watch the 6ft 3in target man and has given glowing reports to Arsene Wenger.

City boss Mark Hughes has also had Dzeko watched and feels he would be the perfect striker, much cheaper than Carlos Tevez or Samuel Eto'o.

Arsenal will auction off Togo striker Adebayor this summer. He is a target for AC Milan while Chelsea's new boss Carlo Ancelotti is also an admirer.

In the search for a cut-price replacement Wenger rates Blackburn's Roque Santa Cruz and Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh. But Dzeko is now top of the list.

Wenger has also been checking on Juventus's Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini.

Scouts have given glowing reports on the Italy international, 24, who can play at left-back or in central defence. Arsenal also want Fulham's Brede Hangeland and Ajax centre-half Thomas Vermaelen.

Among those heading for the exit at City is midfielder Gelson Fernandes. The Swiss star is unhappy at being ignored by Hughes.