Transfer news: Tottenham could launch bid for Manchester City's Edin Dzeko if Roberto Soldado deal falls through

Manager Andre Villas-Boas is desperate to sign a new striker and could move for the Bosnian international who has slipped down the pecking order at the Etihad

Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko could lose his starting place (EPA)

Tottenham could launch a bid for Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko should their pursuit of Valencia’s Roberto Soldado fail to finalise.

Tottenham’s latest bid for the Spaniard is believed to be £3.5m short of his release clause, and the La Liga club are unwilling to budge over their asking price of their prized asset.

Should the two clubs fail to reach an agreement, Spurs could switch targets and try to lure Dzeko to White Hart Lane, with the Bosnian striker slipping further down the City pecking order after the arrivals of Alvaro Negredo and Stefan Jovetic.

The 27-year-old is usually given a place on the bench with Argentinian Sergio Aguero the current incumbent of leading the City line of attack, and even with the departures of Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli – who left for AC Milan in January under former boss Roberto Mancini – Dzeko could still find his opportunities limited.

Meanwhile, City defensive midfielder Gareth Barry has admitted he is unsure of his future with the club, with his contract set to expire next season meaning he could leave on a free transfer.

Barry has been told by manager Manuel Pellegrini that he is in his plans for the upcoming season, but he is yet to be contacted about extending his contract at the Etihad.

“I haven’t heard anything about a new deal from the club, so it looks as though my contract will run out next summer and I’ll have to take it from there,” admitted Barry.

“The manager has spoken to me. He told me that he sees a place for me in his squad as he wants two quality players in every position.

“I’ve got to admit that, with Yaya Toure, Javi Garcia and now Fernandinho in the squad, it’s going to be tough for anyone to nail down a position in central midfield. I’m a bit disappointed that there’s been no offer, but I haven’t got myself too down about it.”

Barry hasn’t played for England for 14 months when he picked up a groin injury that ruled him out of the 2012 European Championship, but despite his uncertain future – which has been rumoured to involved Arsenal and Tottenham as well as City’s Major League Soccer franchise in New York – he maintains that he is focused on his club career first.

Barry said: “I’ve not really thought about England.

“At the moment I’m just doing my best to impress the new manager.”