Arsenal could rival Chelsea for the signature of 30-year-old Iranian striker Mehdi Teremi, who is reportedly keen on a switch to England.
According to Portuguese publication A Bola, as relayed by Sport Witness, Iranian forward Mehdi Taremi is attracting the interest of Arsenal and Chelsea from the Premier League. The 30-year-old striker currently plays for FC Porto and is pencilled in to make a switch to England after the World Cup.
Mehdi Taremi might be a name unheard of, but the 30-year-old striker is putting in performances that attract the interest of top clubs. The attention comes from England, as Arsenal and Chelsea are reportedly vying for his signature.
The report suggests a January move could be on the cards for the 30-year-old striker, who will likely be part of Iran’s squad in Qatar. The Portuguese outlet claims there is enough to state Arsenal are interested. Mikel Arteta did bring Gabriel Jesus in the summer but may not have the required cover for the Brazilian.
Eddie Nketiah, who scored in Arsenal’s win over Bodo/Glimt in the UEFA Europa League, is a good backup, but the Gunners lack depth in the area. The 30-year-old striker from Porto could help bridge that gap, and the Portuguese club could be willing to sanction a sale in January.
Taremi’s contract expires in 2024, meaning the next window could prove a good chance for Porto to cash in. The financial details, such as transfer fees, are not mentioned yet, but the striker could be available for a reasonable price. Taremi could make sense for Arsenal as a backup, although the club would be sacrificing their recent policy of signing young players.
Meanwhile, there is talk of interest from Chelsea as well. The Blues struggled to find a striker in the summer after letting Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner leave the club. They did sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on deadline day. But similar to Arsenal, Chelsea may lack the quality in depth.
Whether the Blues pursue their reported interest remains to be seen, as it could hamper the progress of stars like Armando Broja. Based on our understanding, it is unlikely that Chelsea could pursue a deal for the 30-year-old striker, and the same goes for Arsenal.
Both clubs are on the ascendancy and may not risk paying up for a player of an unknown quantity. However, Taremi’s seven goals and six assists in all competitions suggest the Porto man is far from done and could prove a smart acquisition for teams in England.
