Mehdi Taremi and the Brazilian Interest | OneFootball

Olympiacos vs Antwerp, Preseason Friendly, Phase 2 - Giorgos Matthaios/EUROKINISSI

After speculation involving clubs closer to Europe and the Middle East, ESPN Brasil now reports that Vasco da Gama are examining the Olympiacos forward as part of their search for a penalty-area striker. Taremi is reportedly being considered alongside Luciano Rodríguez, meaning Vasco have not yet committed to one specific profile or operation.

That distinction is important. This is not presently an advanced transfer. There is no evidence that Vasco have approached Olympiacos formally, established the cost of the operation or persuaded Taremi that Brazil should be the next stage of his career.

What Vasco would be buying

Taremi would give Vasco experience, movement and a reference point through the centre.

His game has never depended exclusively on occupying the six-yard box. He can drop away from central defenders, combine with attacking midfielders and create space for runners around him. That makes him potentially useful for a team seeking more than a conventional penalty-box finisher.

His experience is also unusual for the Brazilian market. Taremi has played extensively in European competition, represented Iran at major international tournaments and operated under the pressure associated with Porto, Inter and Olympiacos. ESPN’s report emphasises that his strongest club period came during four seasons in Portugal with Porto.

At 34, however, Vasco would be purchasing immediate performance rather than a player with significant resale potential. Salary, physical condition and willingness to relocate would therefore be critical to any negotiation.

Taremi’s position in Piraeus is complicated by both squad composition and competition for minutes.

Ayoub El Kaabi remains the established attacking reference, while Olympiacos also have Roman Yaremchuk’s future to resolve as well as newly acquired Brazilian striker Clayton from sister club Rio Ave. Carrying several senior strikers can become inefficient when Mendilibar generally uses one centre-forward rather than building permanently around a front two.

There is also the foreign-player consideration in Greece. Taremi occupies a non-EU roster position, creating an additional squad-management issue if Olympiacos want greater flexibility elsewhere.

A departure could therefore offer three advantages:

That does not mean Olympiacos are actively trying to remove him. Taremi’s experience and ability to influence matches from the bench still have value, particularly during a season involving European competition.

However, Olympiacos are already saddled with too many non-EU players as well as a roster that is deemed too large by Mendilibar. At the same time, the squad is still in need of three to four reinforcements to strengthen the left-back position, as well as the midfield and attacking line, and replace their departing goalkeeper Kostas Tzolakis.

The club’s decision would depend on the size of any proposal and whether another striker also leaves.

The question for Taremi

The player’s preference may ultimately be more important than Vasco’s initial interest.

Moving to Brazil would represent a major cultural and competitive change after a long career centred on Iran, Qatar and Europe. Vasco can offer a historic club, a passionate support base and a prominent role, but the Brazilian calendar is demanding and the travel burden considerable.

Taremi may also have alternatives offering stronger financial terms or geographical familiarity.

Until his camp indicates openness to the move, Vasco’s interest remains one side of a potential negotiation rather than the beginning of an inevitable transfer.

At present, the most accurate description is straightforward: Vasco have added Taremi to a multi-player shortlist, but have not yet selected or negotiated for him. So Red & White fans will have to wait and see if a material proposal is submitted.