80-goal striker makes surprise Newcastle United transfer claim - and shuts down Everton

Porto striker Mehdi Taremi claims he has previously turned down a move to Newcastle United.

The 30-year-old could be on the move this summer after entering the final year of his contract at the Portuguese giants - and he isn’t expected to be short of suitors.

The Iranian international, who scored both of his country’s goals in their 6-2 defeat to England at the World Cup, netted a career-best 31 goals last season.

When asked about his future by the media this week, Taremi revealed past transfer interest from Newcastle and Everton.

When exactly the Magpies were interested in Taremi isn’t totally clear, though it was before Eddie Howe transformed the side into Champions League finishers.

“At that time, I didn’t imagine that they would get such a good team that would qualify for the Champions League,” Taremi told Iranian press (via Record)

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“They were fighting not to go down… I thought that staying at FC Porto was better. And we had many games in the Champions League, I couldn’t miss that.”

On Everton, Taremi added: “Now there is an opportunity, but even now, for example, Everton’s offer doesn’t interest me.”

Taremi had been previously linked with a move to Manchester United and Wolves and has been on the radar of a lot of top sides in Europe in recent seasons.

During his three years at Porto, Taremi has scored 80 goals in 147 and provided an impressive 47 assists.