Transfer Rumors: PSG's Ligue 1 Rivals Eyeing 'Iranian Messi,' Liverpool Star

Lyon could be up to something big this transfer window.

With Lionel Messi now in Ligue 1, Paris Saint-Germain domestic league arch-nemesis Lyon is seemingly looking to bolster its ranks in preparation for the Argentine.

While Messi is certainly one of a kind, Lyon has turned its sights on an apparent replica of the six-time Ballon d’Or winner in FC Zenit’s Sardar Azmoun, French outlet L’Equipe reported.

Azmoun, who has been dubbed by some as the “Iranian Messi,” has long been tipped to leave the Russian side this summer.

His contract is set to expire in June next year and Zenit has yet to offer him a fresh set of terms

To avoid losing him for nothing, Zenit is expected to cash in on the prolific striker before the end of the current transfer window.

Despite being linked to a departure, Azmoun is keen on staying and has been “waiting” for Zenit to table an offer.

“My only focus right now is Zenit and the matches I have to play in,” Azmoun said during a recent post-match press conference. “I’m waiting on the club to make a decision on my future. They will decide what happens. Until then, I’m going to keep working, but right now, I am waiting on them.”

Aside from Azmoun, the outlet also bared that Lyon is also considering a move for Liverpool attacker Xherdan Sahqiri.

The report added that OL is fancying signing both Azmoun and Shaqiri to “strengthen its attack.”

However, a move for the pair has been deemed “complicated” at the moment given the club’s financial woes.

Widespread rumors claim that Liverpool has been high on adding more talents to its squad and offloading a couple of players is inevitable. But like Lyon, the Reds are also taking into consideration the club’s financial status.

Addressing Liverpool’s transfer plans this season, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp shot down all rumors and insisted that “it makes no sense” to bring in more players “unless” something unfortunate happens.

“You have to make changes from time to time, but then there must be room to do it,” Klopp pointed out. “We do not want more players. Unless something happens it makes no sense to add more players.”

“Everyone expects some player signings, (but) let’s go through the squad. Do you want to buy a new fullback? A new goalkeeper? We already have good players there. In midfield, we have players with a lot of experience.”