Porto striker Mehdi Taremi has distanced himself from speculation suggesting he could replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at Premier League giants Arsenal, speaking to Vana News.
With Aubameyang out of favour and locked up in the same gilded cage that once housed Mesut Ozil, Mikel Arteta, Edu and co are in the market for a new number nine.
If they can find a shiny new striker – and get rid of their suddenly much-maligned former striker in the process – then all the better. Two birds with one stone, and all that.
Unfortunately, Arsenal’s number one target, Dusan Vlahovic, has opted to join Juventus instead, coming to the rescue of a tired Old Lady in need of some assistance.
Arthur Cabral, who has also been linked with the Gunners of late, is replacing Vlahovic at Fiorentina.
Yuri Alberto, meanwhile, is set for Zenit St Petersburg.
And Real Madrid have concerns about letting Luka Jovic leave on loan, a la Martin Odegaard in 2021. That might have something to do with the lack of support for the talismanic Karim Benzema at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Is Mehdi Taremi Arsenal’s next striker?
Reports recently have surfaced suggesting that Taremi, a 29-year-old targetman with 27 goals in 52 games for the Iranian national team, was another potential solution.
What’s more, this was a deal that would reportedly have seen Aubameyang step into his shoes at Porto.
But when quizzed about the Gunners’ apparent interest following Thursday’s 1-0 victory over Iraq – Taremi’s winning goal securing his nation’s place at the 2022 World Cup – the striker was noticeably reluctant to pour fuel on the proverbial fire.
“Now it’s better to talk about the national team,” he said, deflecting the question with masterful precision.
“Because this team has now gone to the World Cup.”
Taremi has a £50 million release clause in his contract. He has spent the last two seasons at the Estadio do Dragao, netting 13 times in 29 games this season.
The former Rio Ave ace scored arguably the finest goal in last term’s Champions League too. That overhead kick winner against Chelsea secured a nomination for the prestigious FIFA Puskas Award.
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