Who are the Persian Gulf Pro League’s highest-valued homegrown players?

The Persian Gulf Pro League is one of the top football divisions in the Middle East and Asia. Its strength as a competition attracts some of the best talent from outside of Iran. The league also develops Iranian players thanks to its high level of competition. 

This season’s Persian Gulf Pro League will feature some exciting homegrown players. Using Transfermarkt’s market valuations, we have ranked the top five Iranian players competing in this year’s league season. 

Football fans are debating which club will lift the Pro League title this season. Fans can get the latest news on online betting in Asia before watching the action unfold in this season’s Pro League. 

Hossein Kanaani – Persepolis

Persepolis centre-back Hossein Kanaani tops the list of Persian Gulf Pro League homegrown players with the highest market value. Kanaani is valued at €2 million, his highest-ever mark since becoming a professional player. The defender returned to Persepolis after spending two seasons in Qatar playing for Al-Ahli SC. Kanaani is in his third stint with Persepolis, having also played for Machine Sazi, Saipa FC, and Esteghlal. He has made 37 appearances for the Iranian national team. 

Mehrdad Mohammadi – Esteghlal FC

Right-winger Mehrdad Mohammadi joined Esteghlal FC in July 2023 from Qatar’s Al-Sailiya SC on a free transfer. Mohammadi left Iran to play in Portugal in 2019 with Aves before moving to Qatar to play for Al Arabi and Al-Sailliya. The forward is valued at €1.50m currently. His highest transfer market value was €2.70m, which he peaked at in August 2021. Mohammadi has played for the Iranian national team just two times, scoring one goal. 

Mehdi Torabi – Persepolis

Persepolis left-winger Mehdi Torabi is valued at €1.30m at the start of the 2023-24 Persian Gulf Pro League season. He joined Persepolis in February 2021 from Qatar’s Al Arabi. The 28-year-old has played 40 times for the Iranian national team, scoring seven times. Torabi is a four-time Iranian Pro League champion and two-time Iranian Cup winner. In 144 matches for Persepolis, Torabi has scored 35 goals and assisted 43. 

Alireza Beiranvand – Persepolis

Persepolis goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand is No 4 on the list of most valuable homegrown players in the Persian Gulf Pro League. The 30-year-old shot-stopper joined Persepolis in 2022 after playing for Belgium’s Royal Antwerp for two years. Beiranvand enjoyed a loan spell at Portugal’s Boavista during those two years as well. Beiranvand has been capped 56 times by the Iranian national team. In 166 matches for Persepolis, the goalkeeper has kept 95 clean sheets.

Reza Asadi – Sepahan

Defensive midfielder Reza Asadi rounds out the top five most-valuable Iranian players competing in the 2023-24 Persian Gulf Pro League. Asadi came through the Sepahan youth team before moving on to play elsewhere. In July 2023, he returned to Sepahan following one season at Tractor FC. The midfielder is valued at €1.20m. It is the highest transfer valuation of Asadi’s career. In March 2023, Asadi made his Iranian national team debut. Since then, he has played three times for Iran and scored one goal.