Persepolis CEO reveals why Alijanov's transfer was canceled?

Persepolis CEO Paymon Haddadiy spoke in detail about why the transfer of another Pakhtakor representative, Hojiakbar Alijanov, did not reach the final stage during the presentation of Igor Sergeev to the team. According to him, the parties were very close to an agreement, but the whole process was stopped after the player was given incorrect information about the situation in Iran.

Haddadiy first recalled the agreement regarding Igor Sergeev. According to him, the Persian club negotiated with Sergeev, who was named the "top scorer" and "player of the year" in Uzbekistan last year, and he joined the team as a free agent. The contract is for one and a half seasons. The club president also said that Sergeev is confident that he will show himself at the World Cup and benefit his national team.

At the same time, Persepolis has also seriously considered the candidacy of Pakhtakor player Hojiakbar Alijanov for the right-wing defense. Haddadiy, emphasizing the position that "openness is needed with the fans," explained the numbers and the process in an open manner in order to put an end to the rumors on the Internet.

According to him, an official letter was sent to Pakhtakor regarding Alijanov. The Tashkent club demanded 800 thousand US dollars for the player's transfer. Persepolis, on the other hand, expressed its readiness to pay 400 thousand dollars. Later, the parties came to an agreement for approximately 600-650 thousand dollars. After this stage, permission was obtained, negotiations began with the player himself, and a "1.5 + 1" contract was agreed upon.

But the most painful part began later. According to Haddadi, whenever Persepolis begins negotiations with a player, certain individuals who identify themselves as “Iranians” deliberately interfere in the process and try to break the agreement. This situation, he says, has become a recurring problem. In this particular case, the player himself and even his mother were sent various photos and videos to portray the situation in Iran in a negative light, and unfounded information was spread about the club’s financial situation.

After that, a new tension appeared in the negotiations: According to Haddadi, the Uzbek club demanded a lump sum payment, not in installments as previously agreed. The situation reached such a point that he had to personally talk to Jahongir Artikhojaev, the chairman of the Pakhtakor board of directors, to explain that there was no reason to worry. However, hesitancy was still felt.

The head of the Persian club did not rule out that there may be other calculations behind this: perhaps Pakhtakor fully understands Alijanov's true value and plans to sell him after the World Cup with even better offers. For this reason, Haddadi believes, the transfer may not take place at all. However, he added an important point: the club has three approved options for each position, that is, the plan is "not tied to one player."

The most drastic statement was made at the end: Haddadi said that legal action is planned against those who deliberately obstructed the transfer and tried to worsen the situation in Iran.

It is noted that earlier in the Persian press there were reports that Persepolis had offered Alijanov a salary of $ 1.5 million for a 1.5-year contract in Iran. It was also said that Igor Sergeev would receive a salary of $ 1.5 million for a 1.5-year contract.

The conclusion is simple: there is money and football in this story, but the most "virus" is rumors and deliberate attempts to sabotage. Now the question is whether Persepolis will actually go to court and where Alijanov will end up next - only time will tell.