According to reports, Arsenal turned down the chance to sign Porto’s star striker Mehdi Taremi in the January transfer window. The Premier League side opted not to sign any striker despite the departure of Aubameyang to Barcelona. They also loaned out Folarin Balogun to Championship side Middlesbrough.
It made sense for Arsenal to look for a striker to make up for lost numbers. But the much-anticipated signing never arrived at the Emirates. Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are on the last year of their contracts with Arsenal and their departure will leave Arteta without any established first-team striker.
As claimed by CBS Sports, Taremi was one of the players offered to Arsenal in January but the club passed on the opportunity to sign the Iranian striker. The other player being Real Madrid‘s Luka Jovic. Taremi has a £50million release clause but the Portuguese club were reportedly open for a loan deal.
However, Porto may have changed their mind later on in the window as they sold winger Luiz Diaz to Liverpool. Losing two key forward players in the middle of the season might have hurt their chances in the Primeira Liga and the Europa League.
Will arsenal regret not making a move for Mehdi Taremi in January?
Arsenal are currently 6th on the table with 45 points. They are just 2 points behind Manchester United in the Champions League place, but also have three games in hand over them. They should be able to surpass the Red Devils in the near future.
Despite the Gunners being current favorites, a new striker would have helped them cement their position in the top 4. Especially a striker like Taremi, who is 6ft 2inch tall, dominant in the opponent box with quick feet and composure in front of the goal.
Taremi has scored 12 goals and assisted 10 in 23 league appearances this season. He has been in red hot form for Porto, putting away six goals and assisting five in the last nine games in all competitions.
Arsenal would have been benefitted from the Iranian striker in their team, even if it was on a loan deal. However, that ship has sailed and there is little to no chance of Taremi making a move to the Emirates. But other Premier League teams will keep an eye on the 29-year-old target man for a move in the summer.
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