World knocks on Iran's door for chance to sign top talent

A fresh gust of transfer talk swirled around Iran's World Cup squad yesterday in the aftermath of Sunday night's stirring Group F triumph over the United States.

After a match which effectively put Iran's best footballers in the shop window of the world for 90 minutes, it now seems certain that more of the team's players will soon join Ali Daei, Karim Bagheri and Khodadad Azizi by signing with overseas clubs.

The talk of the town in the post-match buzz was all about Mehdi Mahdavikia, the tigerish young midfielder who scored Iran's second goal against the Americans.

Mahdavikia's future is anything but clear. The 20-year-old Young Asian Player of the Year has long been linked with 1997 European Champions Borussia Dortmund.

That move was thought to have been scuppered, however, when it emerged that China's champions Dalian Wanda had set up a two-year, US$1 million deal with Mahdavikia's club Pirouzi.

But the Iranian Football Federation (IFF) is keen to see Mahdavikia play in Europe, believing a move to Germany or elsewhere will be better for the player's development.

'Mehdi is a very talented player and we want what is best for him. If he can play in Germany it will be better for his career. He will learn a lot more there than in China,' an IFF official told Sports Post.