Friday 1 February 2019 22:07, UK
Wolves transfer target Sardar Azmoun, known in his home country as the ‘Iranian Messi’, has signed for Russian side Zenit St Petersburg from Rubin Kazan.
The striker arrived at Russian Premier League leaders Zenit for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around €12m (£10.5m).
Due to teams enjoying an extended winter break, the Russian transfer does not close until Friday 22 February.
Wolves had agreed a £1.7m loan fee with Kazan for the striker, with an option to buy on a permanent deal in the summer for £11.5m.
But the deal fell through because Kazan wanted an obligation to buy included, rather than the option which Wolves would agree to.
Azmoun has scored four league goals for Kazan this season, but helped Iran to an Asian Cup semi-final spot, where they lost 3-0 to eventual runners-up Japan.
Zenit also completed the signing of Wilmar Barrios from Boca Juniors on Friday, with the Colombian midfielder seen as a replacement for Leandro Paredes, who moved to Paris Saint-Germain for £35m.
The Argentine had been a Chelsea target to replace Cesc Fabregas, who went to Monaco earlier in the transfer window.
