Roma have finally found a new striker to bring to the club after adding Sardar Azmoun on loan from Bayer Leverkusen.
Since Tammy Abraham suffered an injury on the final day of last season, it has been an uphill struggle for Roma to sign cover up front. Indeed, the number of targets they have been in contact for stretches into double figures.
Until recently, it looked like Duvan Zapata from Atalanta would become the solution, but talks broke down. Roma’s quick reaction was to swoop for Azmoun.
The 28-year-old has now completed his move to Roma on loan with an option to buy. He will be playing in Serie A for the first time as a result.
Azmoun, who will wear the number 17 shirt, told the club’s official website: “It’s hard to describe the emotions I’m feeling. I’m coming to one of the most prestigious clubs on the international stage, and it would be a dream to be able to win a title in the Roma shirt.
“Last year, I had the chance to play at the Stadio Olimpico and I’ll admit that throughout my career, I have never came across such passionate supporters. Now, I can’t wait to fight for them and achieve our goals.”
His career began with Rubin Kazan, for whom he scored seven goals from 32 games before joining Rostov. His 13 goals from 36 appearances there prompted his first club to buy him back.
Another 10 goals from 45 appearances followed for Rubin Kazan, then Zenit Saint Petersburg bought him and saw him score 62 times within his 104 outings for them, playing his part in four consecutive league titles.
In January 2022, Azmoun left Russian football for the first time to sign for Bayer Leverkusen, where he has rotated for a place up front with former Roma flop Patrik Schick. The German side are sending Azmoun away after just five goals from 44 games for them.
Last season, when Roma faced Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League semi-finals, Azmoun came on as a substitute in the first leg and started the second.
The Iran international, who has 45 goals (a tally only bettered by two players) from 71 caps for his country – whom he is expected to represent during the winter at the Asian Cup, meaning he would be unavailable for some club games – was targeted by Roma during Jose Mourinho’s first summer at the helm, until they added Abraham and Eldor Shomurodov instead. Now, Azmoun has finally become a member of Mourinho’s squad.
And according to reports, he could soon be followed by a more high-profile striker in the shape of Romelu Lukaku.
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