Bayer Leverkusen eye Hamburg's Mahdavikia

IRNA - Hamburg's Mehdi Mahdavikia is a hot candidate to replace departed Brazilian striker Franca at Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen, the Germany-based football portal Iran-fussball said Thursday.

Mahdavikia who apparently plays no role in the future game plans of HSV coach Thomas Doll, has been under intense pressure by Hamburg's team management to find a new team in a bid to get the Iranian international off its payroll.

However the former Pirouzi player who earns 2.3 million euros a year in Hamburg, has repeatedly vowed to fulfill his contract which will expire in 2007.