How good is Arsenal transfer target Azmoun and how much would he cost in January?

8 Oct 2021 09:55 BST
5 min read

Zenit St Petersburg striker Sardar Azmoun — © ProShots

Arsenal will be in desperate need of a new striker in January if Mikel Arteta’s side are going to get anywhere near the top four by May.

Club captain and the highest paid member of the squad, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, has only managed one Premier League goal so far this season and Alexandre Lacazette looks as though he’s simply killing time before he can leave for free in the summer.

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As such, Arsenal will be on the hunt for a new goal scorer in the next transfer window. And according to French publication Onze Mondial, they may have already found their next target.

Indeed, the London club have been linked with a move for Zenit St Petersburg striker Sardar Azmoun. So who is this player and how much would he cost Arsenal to sign in January?

What kind of player is Sardar Azmoun?

So far this season the Iran international has bagged six goals and an assist in 12 games for Zenit. Which isn’t bad at all, but is perhaps a little bit off his tally of 19 goals and six assists in 29 games from last season.

Azmoun is undoubtedly a striker in the traditional sense of the word. Perhaps just like Lacazette, the Zenit forward prefers finding space in the box as a player that can finish moves with his head or via simple tap-ins, rather than drop deep and help set up the play.

According to SciSports, Azmoun has played mostly as a mobile stiker or as a poacher for Zenit this season, which is largely a continuation from last season. Although he has been known to fill in as a target man or shadow striker if called upon.

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How much would he cost Arsenal to sign?

As things currently stand, Azmoun is valued at just over €15 million which is a little surprising considering the player’s contract situation.

The Iranian striker’s current contract with Zenit is set to expire at the end of the season, which means his true value is likely to be much higher. Unlike most signings made in the middle of the season, Azmoun may actually be able to sign for a cut-down price for fear of Zenit losing him for free in the summer.

As such, Arsenal may be able to scoop up a good player on a big of a bargain in January.