Rubin Kazan forward Sardar Azmoun has left the rumour mill rolling again after posting a picture with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on Instagram.
Dubbed the ‘Iranian Messi’, Azmoun was reportedly a transfer target for the Reds last year. The 23-year-old forward claimed Liverpool were interested in signing him last January but that he decided to stay put with Rubin Kazan by the prospect of not being an immediate first-team regular.
“There were talks of Liverpool having expressed an interest in me during the past winter transfer window,” Azmoun was quoted by the Liverpool Echo.
“However, I did not feel the time to move was right.
“I would have ended up playing a few games and then spent a great deal of time on the bench as Liverpool were only looking to fill a void for a particular part of their season.”
However, regardless of claiming to have turned down an offer from Liverpool last year, it seems like he adores Klopp as he posted this picture on his Instagram account on Friday evening.
He captioned the picture: “the best”, but it is ambiguous as to how recent the meeting between the pair was.
There can also be a possibility of a potential move in the summer or there isn’t any substance linked to the picture. Azmoun is a gifted attacker playing for Rubin Kazan in Russia. He is highly-rated across Europe and at just 23 years of age, has managed 30 national caps, scoring 22 goals since making his debut for Iran back in 2014.
Azmoun was right in his assessment of turning down a move to Anfield in January. Liverpool are highly stocked in the attacking positions and had he joined us, he would have been a mere benchwarmer. But credit to him to stick to his decision and turn down Liverpool’s advances as many players don’t do that, as it is difficult to turn down a club with a vast history as ours.
As far as Liverpool’s current team is concerned, the trio of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino is considered as one of the best-attacking combinations in Europe.
Should Azmoun decide to make a move, it would be tough for him to break into the starting XI. Nevertheless, it is not an impossible task and going by his potential, Anfield would actually be the best place for him to move to in the summer.
