Tag: Internazionale

Mehdi Taremi Completes Move to Olympiacos

ATHENS, Greece – In a significant move for both player and club, Iranian international striker Mehdi Taremi has officially joined Greek Super League champions Olympiacos on a multi-year contract. The transfer brings an end to months of speculation and marks a new chapter for the prolific forward.

The deal was finalized after Taremi, who was in camp with the Iranian national team for a CAFA Nations Cup 2025 tournament in Tajikistan, received special permission from his coach. He departed on a private jet to Athens, Greece, on Sunday, underwent and passed his medical examinations, and signed his contract before returning to rejoin his national team duties.

Transfer Details and Contract

According to widespread reports from major Greek media outlets and renowned international football journalists, including Fabrizio Romano, Olympiacos secured Taremi’s services for a modest transfer fee of approximately €2-2.5 million. This represents a significant coup for the Piraeus-based club, as the 31-year-old striker was available on a free transfer just last summer.

Taremi has signed a contract that will see him earn over €2 million per season. His arrival is a major statement of intent from Olympiacos as they prepare for a demanding campaign on both domestic and European fronts.

A New Challenge for Taremi

Upon his arrival in Athens, Taremi expressed his excitement about the new challenge. “I am very happy to join Olympiacos. Everyone knows how big and popular this club is, and I hope I can help the team,” he stated.

He also addressed the prospect of competing for a starting role with the club’s other attackers, including AFCON hero Ayoub El Kaabi and Ukrainian forward Roman Yaremchuk. “We are all here to help the team succeed, and the main goal is the success of the club. I am ready to compete and contribute in any way I can.”

From Milan to Piraeus

Taremi joins Olympiacos after a single season with Italian giants Inter Milan, where he arrived as a free agent following a highly successful stint with FC Porto. While often used in a rotational role at Inter, the Iranian made 43 appearances across Serie A and European competitions, scoring three goals and providing nine assists, playing a part in the Nerazzurri’s Scudetto-winning campaign.

Before choosing Olympiacos, Taremi was a sought-after commodity, attracting serious interest from several European clubs and notably turning down lucrative offers from Brazilian powerhouses Flamengo and Botafogo.

What This Move Means

For Olympiacos, this is a marquee signing. Taremi brings a wealth of experience from top European leagues and the UEFA Champions League, along with a proven track record of goalscoring and playmaking. His presence immediately bolsters their attack as they seek to dominate the Greek Super League once more.

For Taremi, the move offers a central role in an ambitious project and the guaranteed opportunity to feature in the UEFA Champions League. Olympiacos will face a “group of death” featuring European heavyweights Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Borussia Dortmund, providing Taremi with a perfect stage to showcase his talents.

Olympiacos currently sits atop the Greek Super League table with a perfect six points from their opening two matches. The addition of a player of Taremi’s caliber makes them a formidable force as they look to achieve success both at home and on the continent’s biggest stage.

Mehdi Taremi Struggles as Inter Falls to Leverkusen in Champions League Clash

Inter Milan faced Bayer Leverkusen in a highly anticipated Round 6 UEFA Champions League match on Tuesday, December 10, at the BayArena. The game ended with a narrow 1-0 victory for the home team, marking Inter’s first defeat in the tournament this season. Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi, a summer free-transfer acquisition, was part of Inter’s starting lineup but was substituted in the 85th minute after another underwhelming performance.

A Night of Missed Opportunities

Mehdi Taremi’s performance has come under scrutiny, with Italian media voicing their disappointment. The reputable outlet Calciomercato summed up the game succinctly:

“Inter’s first defeat in the Champions League came by a small margin on Leverkusen’s home turf. Despite the setback, the loss is part of an otherwise strong campaign by Inzaghi’s side, who experimented with lineup changes. However, Taremi has yet to meet expectations, particularly in crucial matches like these.”

Inzaghi had expressed confidence in Taremi during a pre-match interview with Sky Sports, stating:

“He plays because he deserves it. He trains very well and understands the competition within the squad. Every time he’s played, he has shown quality.”

Yet on the pitch, Taremi failed to deliver. The former Porto forward, celebrated for his experience and scoring prowess, has struggled to replicate his success at Porto in Italy. Tuesday’s match was no different, as Taremi failed to register a single shot on target in his sixth Champions League start.

A Season Below Expectations

Since joining Inter, Taremi has scored only once in 16 appearances—a solitary goal against Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League. Expectations were high for the 31-year-old, whose transfer was seen as a strategic move to bolster Inter’s attack. However, his inability to impact games, particularly in high-stakes situations, has left fans and analysts questioning his place in the squad.

Social media criticism has intensified following the defeat against Leverkusen, with a section of the fanbase expressing frustration over Taremi’s lack of productivity. In Serie A, his opportunities have been limited; he has started only once this season, playing second fiddle to Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram.

A Hard-Working but Struggling Player

To his credit, Taremi’s work ethic on the field remains commendable. The matches he has started have often been challenging fixtures, where the pressure to deliver is immense. Despite his struggles, Inzaghi has reiterated his belief in Taremi’s abilities.

While his contributions so far have been described as “lackluster” rather than entirely negative, Taremi has yet to prove he can be a decisive player for Inter. The season is far from over, and the Iranian striker still has time to turn things around. However, patience among fans is wearing thin, and his current trajectory leaves much to be desired.

A Chance for Redemption

Inter’s campaign in both domestic and European competitions continues, providing Taremi with opportunities to silence his critics. Whether he can rise to the occasion and become the impactful player Inter envisioned remains to be seen. For now, the final verdict on his season is on hold, but the clock is ticking for Taremi to demonstrate his worth in an Inter jersey.

Mehdi Taremi scores on his debut for Inter.

Inter Milan, the Champions of Italy, played its first match preparing for the new football season with a friendly against the Swiss side Lugano. This match marked the start of the season for Inter and took place behind closed doors in Appiano Gentile. Team Melli center forward who recently signed for Inter Milan was a starter for the friendly match.

Inter gave debut of some other signings in this match. Beside Taremi, the Spanish goalkeeper Martinez experienced his first game in an Inter shirt. Both the new arrivals are eagerly awaited and are expected to play an important role in the team in the coming season.
Inter did not take long to score through Joaquin Correa in the 12th minute. Lugano, however, bounced back with two quick goals in a matter of five minutes both scored by Kacper Przybylko with a penalty lick in the 20th minute and then scoring on the 25th to put his club ahead 2-1. That was indeed the result of the first half.

In the second half, Mehdi Taremi scored the equalizer in the 59th minute. It was his first goal for the Nerazzurri. It came from the penalty spot, in the second half of the friendly. Taremi stepped up to the penalty spot and scored the goal that made it 2-2 for the Nerazzurri in the match against the Swiss club. Shortly after, Taremi made it 3-2 with a splendid shot in front of the opposing goalkeeper. It was his first Nerazzurri brace.

The match ended 3-2 for the Italian champions with Mehdi Taremi impressing and registering the goals that Inter will be eagerly waiting from him.