Designing a model of the Iranian Premier League football transfer market

The Iranian football transfer market suffers from structural inefficiency due to lack of transparency, subjective pricing, legal gaps, and the prominent role of intermediaries. This study aimed to design a local model to organize this market. Using a qualitative approach and grounded theory, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 15 experts (players, coaches, and managers) and analyzed via open, axial, and selective coding. The findings revealed that "managing transactions in an unstable and opaque environment" is the core phenomenon of this market, shaped by the interaction of causal (financial, sporting, managerial), contextual (legal, economic, cultural, infrastructural), and intervening (political, organizational, environmental) factors, leading actors to adopt strategies such as player swaps and short-term contracts. Consequences include competitive balance and talent discovery alongside team instability and price bubbles.The Iranian transfer market is trapped in a vicious cycle reproduced by structural and informal factors. Based on the model, key strategies include revising unrealistic regulations, mandating financial transparency, strengthening regulatory bodies, professional training for managers and agents, and shifting to data-driven management. These strategies can reduce the informal economy, enhance team stability, and strengthen professionalism in Iranian football.