Striker speaks out on Tottenham interest this summer
Zenit St Petersburg striker Sardar Azmoun has revealed that Tottenham were interested in signing him this summer.
The north London club were linked with a number of forwards due to the uncertainty surrounding talisman Harry Kane.
Dusan Vlahovic and Lautaro Martinez were the most high-profile names, but it seems Tottenham were also looking further afield.
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Azmoun is a 26-year-old Iranian striker who bagged 19 goals in just 24 games for Zenit last season. His exceptional form helped them to finish top of the Russian Premier League, eight points ahead of Spartak Moscow.
Tottenham weren’t the only side to be monitoring his situation. The player names three other European clubs who were chasing him.
When asked about the summer window, Azmoun said (via ESPN): “I never said that I was leaving Zenit.
“The media wrote that I was undergoing a medical examination and agreed on everything with a certain team.
“When Lyon made the first offer, Zenit rejected it immediately. I have a contract, even if I wanted to leave, the club will not allow it. It was the media that sent me to another team.
“I don’t say anything myself. I myself am tired of this news. Don’t write about me. Every time I wake up, they send me to a different club. Please do not post about this. If anything happens, I will write myself.
“I had offers from Lyon, Roma, Bayer [Leverkusen] and Tottenham. But all the proposals were rejected, this year I will not move anywhere.”
One player who Spurs did actively pursue this summer is Pau Torres of Villarreal. He is valued highly after helping the Spanish side to win their ever major trophy last term, the Europa League.
Torres also featured at the Euros as Spain reached the last four of the competition.
Tottenham reportedly submitted a bid for the defender, but he opted to remain in La Liga.
“I was informed of Tottenham’s interest, but I have always been clear that I wanted to stay at Villarreal,” Torres told Spanish publication AS.
“My idea was to have an exciting season, I was very clear about what I wanted, and that was to stay at home and at Villarreal. That’s why it was a quick decision.
“All decisions are respectable; I wanted to stay. I’m happy with the decision I made, my idea was to stay at home and I’m happy about that.”