Real Madrid were reportedly considering a January move for Roma striker Edin Dzeko, according to Marca.

Madrid president Florentino Perez is famously not a fan of the winter market, and the club have traditionally avoided doing business then, with Marcelo and Gonzalo Higuain in 2007 the last high-profile successful January arrivals.

However, with concerns over Karim Benzema‘s form, the Bosnian striker was considered as an option to boost the club’s attacking options.

Dzeko ultimately decided to remain in Italy as Los Blancos could only guarantee him a role as back-up striker – reportedly also the reason why he turned down Chelsea.

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane, who had the final say on the transfer, also vetoed any potential deal – with Marca claiming that he did the same with a proposed transfer for Athletic Bilbao keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who had been heavily linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu.