The Sun Newspaper
London 31.Aug.2022
CHELSEA are lining up a beat-the-deadline move for Porto strike sensation Mehdi Taremi, according to reports.
The Iran international bagged 26 goals in 48 games as his club won the Portuguese league and cup double last season.
Stamford Bridge boss Thomas Tuchel is desperately seeking reinforcements following the Blues’ poor start to the season.
They lost 2-1 at Southampton on Tuesday to slump to eighth in the Premier League. And Lisbon sports daily A Bola claims the German has targeted 30-year-old Taremi.
Under contract until 2024, the frontman is valued at £22million. The Iran ace is likely to face England at the World Cup finals in November.
He has 58 caps and 27 goals for his country.
All told Taremi has an impressive 53 goals from 101 Porto appearances.
He hit a stunning bicycle-kick winner as Porto beat Chelsea 1-0 in the Champions League in April 2021, although the Blues won the quarter-final 2-1 on aggregate.
The Persian goal machine was a bargain £4.25m buy from Portuguese side Rio Ave in 2020.
He previously played for three Iranian clubs and Qatari side Al-Gharafa.
Meanwhile, a Portuguese source claimed that Concesaou, the Porto Head Coach has threatened to resign if yet another of his strikers is sold.