Iranian professional footballer Sardar Azmoun is apparently on transfer radar to Britain’s Premier League association football club Liverpool, thanks to his great performances with FC Rostov in the Russian Premier League and during the third round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification tournament.
According to a report published by The Guardian on Tuesday, Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp is considering a January move to sign the 21-year-old Iran international, who also plays as a striker for the national Iranian men’s soccer team.
The move comes amid concerns that the Reds cannot make use of forward Danny Ings following a long-term injury, and 24-year-old Senegalese winger Sadio Mané will be absent from January 14 to February 5 to play for his homeland’s national team (nicknamed Lions of Teranga) at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Azmoun played an influential role in FC Rostov’s 2–0 victory over Belgian Anderlecht in the third qualifying round of UEFA Champions League on July 26, and later in the Russian club’s historic 4–1 surprise win over Dutch giants Ajax in the play-off.
Rostov qualified for the UEFA Champions League group stage in the wake of the emphatic win over Ajax.
Last week, the Iranian striker scored against Atlético Madrid in the group games. The match ended 2-1 in favor of the Spanish club.
Iran notched up a 1-0 win at the end of the third round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Korea at Tehran's Azadi Stadium on October 11.
Twenty-six-year-old Ramin Rezaeian penetrated the visitor's penalty area in the 25th minute, and volleyed the ball to Azmoun, who did not hesitate and cracked a shot to place the ball into the corner of the Taeguk Warriors’ net and seal Team Melli’s victory.