Taremi dropped from Olympiacos squad for UCL qualifier
Iranian international striker Mahdi Taremi has been omitted from Olympiacos’ matchday squad for today’s away game against NEC Nijmegen in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League, raising further questions about his immediate future with the Greek giants.
Taremi was also left out of the squad when the two sides played to a goalless draw in the first leg last week in Piraeus, Greece.
Having joined as a free agent from Internazionale last summer, Taremi, 34, struggled to establish himself as a regular starter in an Olympiacos shirt, though he still registered 16 goals – including two Champions League strikes against Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid – and six assists in 39 appearances across all competitions.
With prolific Ayoub El Kaabi serving as the first-choice striker and Ukrainian international Roman Yaremchuk, Clayton and Gelson Martins providing further depth in attack, Taremi’s time at Olympiacos could come to a premature end. The Iranian is reportedly said to have informed head coach José Luis Mendilibar that he is unwilling to accept a backup role amid stiff competition for places in the squad.
Ligue 1 club LOSC Lille is considering a move for the Iranian talisman, according to French football news website Foot Mercato.