Taremi at crossroads as Inter exit looms
Mahdi Taremi is on the verge of a new chapter in his career, as the Iran international striker is believed to have no future at Internazionale.
With the closing date of the summer transfer window fast approaching across Europe, several clubs have reportedly inquired about the out-of-favor Inter forward, who is with the national team in Tajikistan for the CAFA Nations Cup.
French top-flight side Lyon is the latest club to enter the race for the Iranian’s services, according to high-profile Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
While Leeds United and Fulham have shown interest in bringing Taremi to the Premier League, Brazilian clubs Botafogo and Flamengo also approached the Iranian in recent months, though the 33-year-old However, the 33-year-old has made clear that he prefers to stay in Europe.
Greek heavyweights Panathinaikos and Olympiacos, as well as Dutch champion PSV, Serie A outfit Sassuolo, and Turkish Süper Lig club Besiktas have also emerged as potential suitors for the Iranian in media reports throughout the summer.
When Taremi left Porto as a free agent to join Inter on a two-year contract – with the option of a one-year extension – last summer, his signing was widely regarded as a bargain for the Serie A giant.
Taremi had spent four glorious seasons with the Portuguese heavyweight, helping the Dragons lift seven domestic trophies – including a league and cup double in the 2021/22 campaign – while he bagged 91 strikes in 182 appearances to become the club’s third all-time top scorer.
With Marcus Thuram granted an extended vacation ahead of the new season – due to his involvement in Euro 2024 – the Iranian capitalized on the Frenchman’s absence by delivering impressive performances during preseason friendlies, making a strong case for a No. 9 role alongside Lautaro Martinez in the starting XI.
However, his debut campaign in the Nerazzurri colors was hardly one to remember, as Taremi managed only three goals – including double spot-kicks – and nine assists in 43 appearances across all competitions, with his sole strike from open play coming in a 3-2 loss to archrival Milan at the Supercoppa Italiana final in January.
Despite receiving criticism for his lack of goals throughout the season, Taremi still had the full backing of former Inter boss Simone Inzaghi, who even selected him over his first-choice duo for some of the big occasions in the Champions League.
The introduction of new head coach Cristian Chivu in June, however, marked the beginning of the end for Taremi, who missed the FIFA Club World Cup after being stranded in his home country due to all flights from Iranian airports being grounded amid the 12-day conflict with Israel.
Taremi was left out of the Inter squad for the 5-0 victory over Torino in the opening weekend of the new Serie A season this week, meaning Iranian fans have already seen the last of their compatriot in a Nerazzurri shirt.