Conceicao tells Porto fans to ‘respect’ Taremi amid Inter transfer saga
Porto head coach Sergio Conceicao came to Mahdi Taremi’s defense, urging the Dragons supporters to show “respect” for the Iranian striker ahead of his imminent free transfer to Serie A giant Internazionale in the summer.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano wrote on X last Monday that the verbal agreement between the Nerazzurri and Taremi has been in place for a month over a two-year contract with the option to be extended for an additional season, which will see the Iranian earn €3 million per season.
The 31-year-old Iranian international was to undergo medical tests at Inter this week, but the proceedings were reportedly called off after Porto fans showed their frustration with the striker, feeling betrayed given Taremi will be under contract with the Portuguese club until the end of June.
However, speaking ahead of Porto’s home league game against Estrela Amadora on Saturday, Conceicao said Taremi deserves more admiration for what he has achieved throughout the four years at the club.
“Taremi has a contract until June and respects the club,” the former Portugal international and Lazio winger said.
“There is no one who has stronger feelings for the club and if I felt that a player was not committed – even if he was called Maradona – he wouldn’t be with me.
“We’re talking about a player who is in the top three of the club’s all-time top scorers. He’s only behind Jardel and Jackson [Martinez], and ahead of Hulk, but people seem to forget Taremi’s goals and assists.
Having joined from Rio Ave in July 2020, Taremi has bagged 86 goals, while providing his teammates with 53 assists, in 172 appearances for Porto across all competitions before Saturday’s game.
He finished as the leading marksman of the Portuguese top flight last season with 22 strikers, though a below-par campaign, by his own standards, has seen the Iranian find the net only on three occasions in 16 league games this term, plus a couple of goals in the Champions League group stage.
Taremi returned to the club last weekend to make a cameo appearance in the 3-2 defeat at Arouca, following four weeks on international duty at the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar, where Iran was beaten by the host in the semifinals.
“He took a trip back from Qatar and made himself available for team selection against Arouca without any rest. Taremi can give you all sorts of solutions upfront,” added the Porto manager.
A Primeira Liga champion with Porto in 2022, Taremi was on the verge of joining Inter archrival Milan last summer, only to see the deal fall through on the transfer deadline day after the striker’s camp and the Rossoneri failed to reach agreement on personal terms.