Karim Ansarifard Transfer Latest

Image: @kariiiiim10 via Instagram

It has been widely reported that Nottingham Forest are attempting to complete the signing of talented Iranian international striker Karim Ansarifard following his release from sister club Olympiacos on deadline day.

Rumours first surfaced of the transfer at the end of August with the reds failing to sign a replacement for departing Ben Brereton after concentrating much of their efforts on Villa new boy Tammy Abraham.

The transfer is a complicated one. The signing of Panagiotis Tachtsidis, who unlike Ansarifard is an EU national, was subsequently approved by the EFL in a similar deal, meaning that the hold up in the Ansarifard deal likely concerns international clearance for the Iranian national.

The Helanic Football Federation are reported to have confirmed the players release from Olympiacos to the Greek media meaning that the next stage of the transfer requires not just approval from the EFL but also the Home Office.

Ansarifard will require a Tier 2 Sportsperson visa to allow him the right to work in the UK. This is a skilled person visa which allows entry to an elite sportsperson or coach. This means the onus is now on the club and player to prove that Ansarifard meets the following requirements as set out by the UK government.

• you’re an elite sportsperson or qualified coach, who’s recognised by your sport’s governing body as being at the highest level of your profession internationally
• your sport’s governing body is endorsing your application
• your employment will develop your sport in the UK at the highest level
• you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland
• you meet the other eligibility requirements

Other requirements can include English language skills.

Governing body support will rely on Ansarifards international appearances. The guideline is that the player should have played a certain percentage of the countries internationals. Iran are currently ranked 32^nd in the FIFA rankings following their World Cup participation which means Ansarifard will need to have played in 75% of their games in the last 2 years.

Ansarifard has been involved in all but one of Iran's 23 matches since 2016, however he has been an unused substitute on 8 of those occasions. If the FA do not automatically provide the required endorsement an appeals process is available, a process which saw Forest previously sign Kuwati players despite Kuwait placing well outside the top 50 ranked teams.

In Ansarifard's case this process should be much easier due to his impressive goal scoring record at Olympiacos and in international football.