Roma covet Sardar Azmoun and are preparing an offer to sign him for Zenit. However, they face stiff competition for the center-forward, in particular from Bayer Leverkusen. In the meantime, Edin Dzeko openly stated that he plans to stay in the Italian Capital.
The veteran striker spoke to Sky after the friendly against Debrecen: “I am tired to see my name come up in the transfer market rumors. My sole focus is Roma and nothing more. We are just getting started, we are working hard, and everything has gone well thus far. The coach is pushing us to give our 100 percent.”
Roma could try to add a new goal poacher even if they kept Dzeko. According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Azmoun is currently their top choice for the role. The front office is preparing an offer that includes a partial swap with one of their players and cash. On the other hand, Bayer Leverkusen have put €18M on the table, and Zenit are leaning in that direction. The Russian side publicly acknowledged the Giallorossi’s interest by tweeting: “Mourinho, ignore him,” after the striker hit the net against Khimki.
Azmoun has just a year left on his contract. He has tallied 53 goals and 19 assists in 84 matches in the last 3 seasons. If they could not land him, Roma have identified Genk’s Roman Yaremchuk as a viable alternative. The Ukrainian international was close to joining Benfica, but the transfer hit a late snag, Il Messaggero informs. They are also reportedly after PSG’s Mauro Icardi and Genoa’s Eldor Shomurodov.