Iranians linked to European clubs

PFDC – TEHRAN, As the winter transfer window approaches, numerous Iranian players seem to be on European clubs’ wishlists.

Karim Ansarifard – who had been linked to Borussia Dortmund, FC Everton, Genclerbirligi and Steaua Bucharest in the past – is now reportedly on Scottish giants’ Celtic Glasgow‘s wishlist, which meanwhile also the British ‘Daily Express’ reports.

The 22-year-old had scored 55 goals in 123 appearances for Saipa Karaj and topped the scoring chart of the Iranian league last season before sealing a switch to Iranian powerhouse Persepolis Tehran in summer.

There he initially struggled to find form, but meanwhile increased his goal tally to five.

Persepolis boss Mohammad Rouyanian confirmed the foreign interest in the young striker and also told Iranian news agency ISNA three Persepolis players in total are targeted by British, German, Russian and UAE clubs currently, but only named leftback Mehrdad Pouladi alongside Ansarifard.

Pouladi has already been linked to Danish Brönby IF earlier this year together with 23-year-old Fajr midfielder Reza Haghighi, but the latter recently signed with Persepolis – an example of how such rumours are unfortunately frequently used to increase a player’s market value ahead of an inner-Iranian transfer.

Such an example could also be Esteghlal rightback Ali Hamoudi, who accordig to himself and Esteghlal club boss Ali Fatollazadeh has sparked interest from Bundesliga side Hannover 96. That the current number four rightback of the Iranian national team is supposed to be a target for a German top club seems a bit unlikely to say the least.

However, similarily unlikely seemed the European transfer rumours about the back then heavily critisized Persepolis goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi, who eventually signed with Russia’s Rubin Kazan last year.

Afshin to OSC Lille?

Meanwhile, 23-year-old Foolad Khuzestan winger Arash Afshin is about to travel to France for the second time to possibly finalize his contract with Ligue 1 outfits OSC Lille on Monday.

Afshin had already trained with the club last month, but had to return to Iran early due to national team duties.

The technically gifted player will stay in Lille until Wednesday before returning to Iran in order to again join Team Melli for the upcoming WAFF championship in Kuwait.

Foolad coach Hossein Faraki and chairman Seifollah Dehkordi didn’t only confirm the interest from France, but already gave green light for a transfer.

However, Afshin is also chased by Tehran giants Esteghlal.

Other than Afshin, Foolad’s 21-year-old captain Bakhtiar Rahmani is expected to stay at the club, after reportedly also having received an offer from France.

The midfielder is considered as one of Iran’s brightest talents, but has fallen apart with Iran’s Olympic team coach Alireza Mansourian and therefore also is not considered for the senior national team at this time.

Back to former glories?

Iran had a strong contingent of players in Europe for about a decade from the late 90s on, with numerous players playing in Germany, Spain, Italy, England, Belgium and Austria.

Today, only five players are left in European leagues, with Masoud Shojaei (CA Osasuna, ESP) and Alireza Haghighi (Rubin Kazan, RUS) having made switches from Iran to respectable leagues, while Ashkan Dejagah (Fulham FC, ENG), Omid Nazari (Ängelholms FF, SWE) and Reza Ghoochannejhad (St. Truiden VV, BEL) have started their footballing carreers in Europe.

The latter is the only confirmed Iranian transferring to a European club this winter by the way, having already signed a contract with Belgian first league side Standard Liege.