Ostersunds striker Saman Ghoddos has been heavily linked with a move to Championship side Queens Park Rangers.
Five years ago, Ostersunds were a little known club in the fourth tier of Swedish football. But under the stewardship of Graham Potter, they are now just two months away from going head-to-head with Arsenal in the Europa League knockout phase.
It’s been quite the rise for a club who had not played in Sweden’s top tier until 2016, let alone stepping foot into continental competition.
And, understandably, the Ostersunds squad are wild eyed with childhood wonder as they imagine the prospect of taking on Alexis Sanchez and co at The Emirates in the New Year. One player in particular, star striker Saman Ghoddos simply cannot wait to take on the Premier League giants.
“It is insane. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined facing Arsenal in the knockout stages of the Europa League when I signed for Ostersunds,” Ghoddos, who scored twice as Ostersunds finished second in their group, said to Goal.
“We drew the best team straight away. Now we will look forward to this match. There will be no chance to just relax during the [winter break], we will be training hard.”
But while Ostersunds are thrilled with such a draw, Arsenal’s London rivals Queens Park Rangers may have been left cursing their near neighbours.
Because HITC sources told us in November that QPR were desperate to bring Ghoddos to Loftus Road in January after failing to lure the Iranian international striker to the Championship during the summer transfer window.
Ghoddos, who scored 20 goals for the club in 2017, could have been the clinical goalscorer that QPR are lacking at the moment.
Instead, it seems the prospect of taking part in the biggest game in Ostersunds history has Ghoddos keen to stay in Sweden for a few more months.
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