Everton have reportedly entered the race to sign Zenit St Petersburg striker Sardar Azmoun, who is a target for multiple clubs across Europe.
According to a report from 90 Min, Everton have joined the hunt for the signing of Zenit St Petersburg and Iran centre-forward Sardar Azmoun, who will be a free agent at the end of the ongoing campaign.
Azmoun has spent his entire senior career in Russia, having first made his way to Rubin Kazan in January 2013, where he spent over six years. During his stint in Kazan, the 26-year-old also had multiple loan spells with FC Rostov between 2015 and 2017 before becoming a regular at his parent club.
Azmoun signed for Zenit St Petersburg in the winter transfer window of 2019 and has excelled. To date, the striker has managed to produce an impressive return of 61 goals and 23 assists from 103 games, winning three league titles and several other domestic trophies with the Russian giants.
A regular for the Iranian national team, Azmoun has found the back of the net 39 times from 60 international appearances. His productivity and eye for a goal have caught the attention of several clubs across Europe. In the past, there have been links to the likes of Arsenal and West Ham United, while Tottenham Hotspur even tried to sign him in the summer.
Azmoun’s contract with Zenit St Petersburg expires at the end of the ongoing campaign, as a result of which clubs are lining up to sign him in the summer transfer window on a free transfer. Teams from Germany, Spain, France and Italy are following the 26-year-old, with now Everton also entering the race for the striker.
The Toffees are currently going through a lean period with goals hard to come by in the absence of star centre-forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Summer signing Salomon Rondon has just not worked out for the Merseysiders, while Richarlison looks much more menacing playing on the flank than through the middle.
So, a new centre-forward is a necessity for manager Rafael Benitez. They are hoping to bring someone in the January transfer window itself, with Brazilian hitman Gabigol on the club’s radar. And while Azmoun has also popped on Everton’s radar, the Zenit St Petersburg man is more of a target for the summer transfer window when he will become a free agent.
At 26, Azmoun has his best years in front of him. Given his experience and proven pedigree in Europe, signing him on a free transfer could prove to be a coup for Everton. Whether they can pull it off or get beaten to the punch by his other suitors remains to be seen.
