Roma director: Offers for Dzeko 'not acceptable'

Roma won't sell Edin Dzeko on the cheap.

Sporting director Monchi rubbished reports Wednesday that the Italian side had accepted Chelsea's £44-million bid for Dzeko and teammate Emerson Palmieri, insisting that the money on the table isn't enough.

"Every club in the world would at least consider any offers that come in. We are ready to listen and then decide," Monchi told reporters. "At the moment, Dzeko is here and we are all happy. That means that what we've received so far wasn't acceptable."

Despite rampant speculation that he's set to leave the capital club, Dzeko started for Roma and scored a late equaliser in Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Sampdoria. It's only his second goal in nine matches.

Chelsea is reportedly on the search for a striker to relieve the struggling Alvaro Morata. Previously linked with the lanky and burly target men Peter Crouch and Ashley Barnes, the Blues are hoping Dzeko will agree to terms on a multi-year contract. The 31-year-old is apparently unsure if he'll get enough minutes as Morata's backup.