Sport360 - Esteghlal midfielder Javad Nekounam is on the verge of a return to the UAE with former club Sharjah.

The newly-promoted club initially cooled their interest in the 32-year-old, but with the player keen to push through a move they have returned to the negotiating table.

According to reports in Iran, Nekounam is holding out for a one-year deal worth $2million (Dh7.35m) but Sharjah are unwilling to match that sum. The 132-times capped Iran international played 11 times for the King in 2006 following a move from UAE rivals Al Wahda.