Wolverhampton Wanderers' plans to sign Sardar Azmoun, a striker dubbed "the Iranian Lionel Messi", have reportedly broken down in the final hours of the transfer window.
The Midlands side had reportedly agreed a £1.75m loan fee with the 24-year-old's club Rubin Kazan, complete with an option to buy for £11.5m at the end of the season.
According to Sky Sports News, however, the Russian Premier League side had insisted that the fee should be an obligation to buy and consequently Wolves have pulled out of the deal.
The broadcaster also says that Azmoun currently remains in Russia and has not been sent to the UK to undergo a medical, further dimming any chances of getting a deal done.
Wolves have been in the market for a striker this month as they look to consolidate their place in the upper echelons of the Premier League and have also been linked with Southampton's Charlie Austin, as well as a surprise move for Chelsea forward Olivier Giroud.
Earlier today the club completed the capture of Jonny Castro from Atletico Madrid in a permanent £18m deal.
Neil Wilkes
