Sardar Azmoun wants to leave Zenit St Petersburg for free amid interest from Premier League duo Everton and Newcastle United, manager Sergei Semak tells Match TV.
A striker once labelled the Iranian answer to Lionel Messi (every country needs one, it seems), Azmoun is hardly a household name on English shores.
But Chelsea supporters will tell you that, when fit and firing, the Zenit frontman is a force to be reckoned with.
Azmoun gave Thomas Tuchel’s backline more headaches than an insomnia-riddled parent at a five year old’s birthday party during December’s 3-3 Champions League group-stage draw.
He found the net with a brilliantly taken solo goal. And, if it wasn’t for some remarkable Kepa Arrizabalaga reflexes, he would have doubled his tally against the reigning European champions.
Is Sardar Azmoun heading to the Premier League?
Azmoun has been linked with a move to England on numerous occasions over the years. And, after scoring ten goals in 21 games this season, those rumours have returned with a vengeance of late.
According to The Mail, relegation-threatened Newcastle United have enquired about Azmoun’s availability. So have Everton (90Min).
And while some have suggested that Zenit would accept a bid of just £5 million this month, Azmoun would prefer to stay until the end of the season and leave as a free-agent, potentially with a fourth successive Russian Premier League title under his belt.
“It is simple and understandable,” says Semak, Zenit legend-turned-coach.
“Serdar wants to finish the season at Zenit, and then move to another club as a free agent in the summer.”
Azmoun is a long-time target of Everton’s majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri. His agent admitted years ago that Moshiri had ‘contacted’ him regarding a potential move to Goodison Park.
Tottenham Hotspur also showed an interest in the summer of 2021. We know that because Azmoun told us.
“I had offers from Lyon, Roma, Bayer (Leverkusen), and Tottenham,” Azmoun said back in September.
“All the offers were rejected.”
Antonio Conte went public with his desire to sign a new centre-forward earlier this month, pointing out that Spurs cannot always rely on the overworked, overburdened Harry Kane.
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