TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Report
The Montreal Impact will soon welcome Saphir Taider from their Italian sibling club Bologna as their newest Designated Player, according to a Italian report.
TuttoBolognaWeb.it reported on Tuesday that the Algerian international is set to sign with the Impact in a deal that runs through June 2020, making him the like-for-like replacement for Blerim Dzemaili as the Swiss veteran returns to Serie A after a little over half a season on loan in Montreal.
Taider, a French-born central midfielder with 38 caps for Algeria, including two appearances at the 2014 World Cup, was linked to Montreal earlier this winter as it became clear that Dzemaili would be returning to Bologna ahead of schedule. Impact owner and president Joey Saputo is also chairman at Bologna, who currently sit in 12th place in Serie A.
Taider, who turns 26 in February, has spent time at some of the biggest clubs in Italy like Juventus and Inter Milan as well as a brief loan stint with England’s Southampton FC in 2014. He’s made 10 appearances across all competitions for the Rossoblu during their current campaign.
Dzemaili, 31, played in 22 MLS matches (all starts) for the Impact in 2017, notching seven goals and 10 assists.
