Gary Hooper’s proposed move to Esteghlal has fallen through.
Reports last week claimed that Hooper, who was released by Sheffield Wednesday at the end of last season, had reached a final agreement to join the Iranian side.
The 31-year-old later travelled to Istanbul, Turkey, with his agent, Alexander Levack – increasing speculation that a transfer was imminent.
But posting on Twitter on Sunday afternoon, Esteghlal announced that negotiations with Hooper ‘did not succeed’.
Hooper is reported to have cost Sheffield Wednesday £3 million in January 2016, after a productive loan spell.
The former Celtic striker scored or made 43 goals in 82 games for the Owls, but spent much of his time at Hillsborough sidelined through injury.
Of the six players who left Sheffield Wednesday at the end of their contracts in the summer, only three – Daniel Pudil, George Boyd and Marco Matias – have found new clubs.
That leaves Hooper, David Jones and Almen Abdi yet to be snapped up.