Marko Bakic, the Montenegrin midfielder of Persepolis, has started the new season with disappointment. While last season he was fully present on the field in all competitions until the fifth week, he now has no place in Mehdi Tartar's plans and has only received 7 minutes of playing time in the league.
Reduced playing opportunities and uncertain future
Bakic has played only 6 minutes against Tractor and one minute against Khuzestan Steel this season, effectively becoming one of the absolute benchwarmers of Persepolis. Given the traffic in Persepolis's midfield and the acceptable performance of Mohammad Khodabandehloo and Pourali, it does not seem that the situation will change significantly in the short term. Additionally, Persepolis's absence from Asian competitions and the possibility of the Cup not being held have also reduced the number of upcoming matches for the Reds, making competition for a spot in the starting lineup even tougher.
Read more: Opening of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya at Mizuho Stadium
Sepahan, a potential destination for Bakic
Considering that Bakic's contract expires at the end of the season and Mehdi Tartar's lack of interest in his playing style, the Persepolis management is not averse to selling this player in the winter transfer window if a suitable offer is received. This transfer could also be economically significant for Persepolis; instead of losing Bakic at the end of his contract, they could generate income in the winter and create more space to attract Tartar's desired options in midfield.
In this context, Sepahan has emerged as one of the teams interested in signing Bakic. The golden-clad team, looking to strengthen their midfield in the winter, has been monitoring the situation of this Montenegrin midfielder. Moharram Navidkia has also placed special emphasis on signing Bakic and has discussed this matter with the managers of Foolad Mobarakeh.
Given that Bakic is not finding much opportunity to play at Persepolis, his transfer to Sepahan could be one of the options in the winter window. Although it is still unclear whether formal negotiations will take place between the two clubs, Bakic's current situation at Persepolis and the end of his contract at the end of the season have made the possibility of his departure in the winter window more serious.
Read more: Dacques Nazoun joined Al-Nassr and began a new era · Sardar Azmoun returns to the Iranian national team but Shahryar Moghanloo and Ali Alipour were not invited
