Mehdi Hagitali, agent of Liverpool transfer target Sardar Azmoun, says there have been no “formal proposals” to sign his client from FC Rostov.
Azmoun emerged as a surprise option for the Reds in the January transfer window, as Jurgen Klopp looks to bolster his attacking line following injury to Danny Ings.
Ings has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, with another forward, Sadio Mane, set to depart on international duty with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
While Azmoun is not the winger that Klopp hinted at pursuing, the 21-year-old represents an interesting long-term target for Liverpool.
However, according to Hagitali, the Anfield side are yet to approach Rostov with a formal offer—and Azmoun is in no “hurry” to leave the Russian Premier League side.
“I read about Liverpool’s interest in Sardar, but I can say that at present there have been no formal proposals at all—from either foreign or Russian clubs,” he said.
“Azmoun is not looking to leave the club in a hurry. Now his main goal is to become the best striker the Russian Premier League.
“Besides, Kurban Berdyev is like a father to him, and he would like to continue to work with the coach.
“However, if some of the proposals do come, we will look at them.”
There are a number of ways to read Hagitali’s comments, with Azmoun’s agent sitting on the fence with regards to a possible transfer.
If no offer arrives, Azmoun is content with life at his current club, particularly working with Berdyev, who was previously his manager at both Rubin Kazan and Rostov.
But his final admission suggests Azmoun would be open to a departure from Olimp-2, and Liverpool would no doubt be an attractive proposition.
At this stage, Liverpool have only been reported to be monitoring Azmoun’s progress, with Klopp likely highlighting a number of options for the January transfer window.
But the wheels are not yet in motion in terms of securing a deal, with Ings’ replacement not imminent.
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