The idea that Sardar Azmoun could leave Zenit St Petersburg has been around for quite some time.
The Iranian forward made it clear this would be his last season in Russia, Lyon have been trying their best to sign him for a while now, but have yet to convince their counterparts to accept their offer.
That’s because, according to Foot Mercato, Zenit were ‘counting on Newcastle United to raise the stakes’, but it’s pointed out that the Magpies ‘didn’t make Azmoun a priority, far from it’.
Eddie Howe’s side ‘haven’t formulated an offer’, but that isn’t stopping the Russians from asking for €5m, which Lyon have yet to offer.
The Ligue 1 side had so far bid €3m, doing so a couple of weeks back, but Foot Mercato now report Lyon ‘have slightly upped their offer’ to €4m.
While that’s closer to the €5m, there’s a belief Zenit could accept €4.5m for a player whose contract expires in the summer, making this their last chance to make any money from a transfer.
Either way, Newcastle aren’t after Sardar Azmoun, meaning there’s a very good chance Eddie Howe wants a different striker, with the Iran international most likely going to Lyon in the near future.
