Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has suffered a setback after the agent of FC Rostov forward Sardar Azmoun revealed his client is not pushing for an exit.
As noted by The Liverpool Echo, the Reds have been monitoring the 21-year-old ahead of potentially making a move in January, but their efforts have received a blow.
One of his agents, Mehdi Hagitali, has confirmed that he has a desire to remain in Russia to continue his development and become one of the top players in the league.
“I read about the interest in Sardar from Liverpool, but I can say that at present there have been no formal proposals from either foreign or Russian clubs.
“Now his main goal is to become the best striker in the Russian Premier League.”
The highly-rated Iran international has made 19 appearances in all competitions for Rostov so far this season, scoring four goals and providing two assists.
It now appears as though he’ll be attempting to add to that tally in the months ahead as opposed to thinking about a more immediate future in England as Klopp will have to switch his focus elsewhere in the January transfer window.
The German tactician may well decide to revisit his interest in Azmoun further down the line as he continues to prioritise talented youngsters from around Europe to build and strengthen his Liverpool squad.
However, Azmoun won’t be helping his title bid between January and the end of the season on the basis of his agent’s latest comments as the Reds look to bolster their group to try and maintain their current momentum.