Olympique de Marseille have opened talks with German outfit Bayer Leverkusen over the signing of Iranian international striker Sardar Azmoun (28), according to a report from Fabrizio Romano. Les Phocéens are in need of a forward following the departures of out-of-favour s Luistrikers Suárez (25) to Almería and Bamba Dieng (22) to Lorient.
Marseille were in the running to sign Lorient’s Terem Moffi (23) in a Dieng plus cash deal, but the Nigerian forward will join Ineos-owned Nice in a €30m deal. Marseille were reportedly in talks over the signing of young Portuguese prospect Vitinha, but Braga would not budge on their €30m asking price. OM president Pablo Longoria and sporting director Javier Ribalta seem to have found a cheaper option in Azmoun.
According to L’Equipe journalist Loïc Tanzi, Azmoun has already given his green light to join the club. Talks are ongoing with the Bundesliga’s ninth-placed side over a deal whose transfer fee falls below the €10m mark. Azmoun joined Leverkusen from Russian outfit Zenit St Petersburg one year ago. This season, the 68-cap Iranian international failed to find the net with the Xabi Alonso-led side. Last year, Azmoun was reportedly close to join OM bitter rivals Lyon.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval
