Jerome Boateng 'happy' if Edin Dzeko arrives at Manchester City

Jerome Boateng is convinced Manchester City will be signing a star performer if they can lure Edin Dzeko to Eastlands.

The Bosnian forward is expected to become the biggest transfer of the January window, having indicated his intention to quit Wolfsburg.

Dzeko's time in the Bundesliga leaves Boateng well placed to assess the giant forward's talents.

And from his own meetings with the giant striker, the German international acknowledges what a threat he can be.

"Dzeko is a very good striker," Boateng told the Manchester Evening News.

"Of course, we would love to see him at City because he is a quality player.

"He played against Hamburg a few times whilst I was there - and he scored.

"I have marked him a few times and it is always a good, physical challenge. He holds the ball up well and knows how to use his body.

"He is not so quick but is very good in front of goal and would work well with our other strikers."

Although it has been claimed a fee has been agreed between the two clubs, City have vowed not to overpay, either in transfer fees or wages, mindful of the new UEFA Financial Fair Play rules that come into effect at the end of next season.

And a deal is unlikely to be concluded until after Wednesday's crucial top-of-the-table encounter with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

City already have a fitness doubt over key-man David Silva, who suffered a knee injury during Saturday's win over Blackpool, while Mario Balotelli is unlikely to be fit after missing the weekend triumph with a similar problem.