Football-Italia - Lazio are moving closer to a deal for Rubin Kazan striker Sardar Azmoun, after the Iran Football Federation confirmed an €18m (£16m) deal.
Both Sky Sport Italia and Sportitalia are confident an agreement will be reached at around €18m after an initial €15m plus bonuses was rejected.
More importantly, the Iran Football Federation posted on Instagram that “Lazio agreed to pay Rubin Kazan €18m to capture the captain of the Iranian team.
“The signing of the contract would make him the most expensive football player in Iran’s history.”
However, Italian sources suggest this message was premature, although negotiations are progressing well.
The 22-year-old has been in Russia since January 2013, playing for Rubin Kazan and Rostov.
Last season Azmoun scored 12 goals with three assists in 41 competitive games for Rostov.