Wolverhampton Wanderers’ reported move to bring Iranian Messi Sardar Azmoun to the Premier League fell through in the January transfer window.

Whatever became of Sardar Azmoun?

According to Sky Sports, Wolves had agreed a deal to sign the Rubin Kazan striker on the final day of the January transfer window, only for the move to fall through at the eleventh hour.

Wolves wanted the option to sign Azmoun permanently in the summer for £11.5 million. Rubin, however, wanted the deal to include an ‘obligation’ for a permanent transfer – regardless of how he gets on in English football.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side backed out as a result. And, just days later, Azmoun moved to Zenit St Petersburg instead for a fee of £10.5 million, according to L’Equipe.

If he was disappointed about missing out on a move to Molineux, he didn’t show it on Thursday. Zenit were a goal down to Fenerbahce in their Europa League round of 32 clash and needed to turn the tie around in front of their own supporters.

Step up the ‘Iranian Messi’.

Azmoun turned on the style on his home debut, inspiring Zenit to a 3-1 win which puts them into the next round with a towering header reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo, let alone Messi. His second, which clinched the game, was clinically dispatched into the bottom corner with 15 minutes to go.

Unsurprisingly, he was nominated for the Europa League Player of the Week award. And his £10.5 million price-tag is already looking like a bargain.