Does Serdar Azmoun’s admission suggest Everton’s transfer hopes depend on Romelu Lukaku’s future?

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The striker wants regular first-team starts and that would only be possible at Everton if Lukaku leaves.

He may be only 22, but Serdar Azmoun is clearly more than aware of the unforgiving nature of professional football. The striker, who shot to fame in Russia after firing unfancied minnows FC Rostov to second place behind CSKA Moscow last season, appeared certain to be rewarded for his exploits with a step up the European footballing ladder, ESPN reports.

The Guardian claimed in November that Merseyside rivals Liverpool and Everton were preparing to go head-to-head for Azmoun after he impressed in continental competition this season, knocking out both Anderlecht and Ajax in the Champions League qualifying rounds before netting against Atletico Madrid in the Group Stage.

To his credit, however, the Iran international explains that he did not give any thought to a January move because he wants to maintain his progression in a relatively small pond.

“I did not feel the time to move was right,” Azmoun told the Qatar Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy website.

“I would have ended up playing a few games and then spent a great deal of time on the bench.”

Although Azmoun has scored just four goals in 17 games this season with Rostov unsurprisingly unable to maintain last season’s overachievement, it’s likely that interest will resurface in the summer.

Liverpool, lacking a prolific goalscorer or even a natural striker with Daniel Sturridge out of favour, will surely be in the market for a forward but, if Everton want to attract him to the other side of Stanley Park, it may depend on the future of Romelu Lukaku.

The Guardian report that the Premier League’s top scorer will seek a move away in the summer after rejecting a new contract but that huge loss could open a window of opportunity.

With Azmoun searching for regular starts, something that would be impossible with Lukaku heading Ronald Koeman’s one-striker system, the Belgian’s departure may at least offer the 22-year-old the prospect of a starting place.