ALBION have renewed their interest in Iran’s World Cup ace Alireza Jahanbakhsh.

But The Argus understands the AZ Alkmaar winger’s soaring value could scupper a deal.

Jahanbakhsh has been on Albion’s radar for THREE years.

He rejected a £1.4 million move to the Amex from NEC Nijmegen in the summer of 2015, after a season of struggle for the Seagulls in the Championship.

Jahanbakhsh joined Alkmaar instead on a five-year contract and his exploits in the Dutch Eredivise this season have reignited Albion’s interest.

He top scored with 21 goals and also provided 12 assists as Alkmaar finished third behind Ajax and champions PSV Eindhoven, the former club of Albion pair Davy Propper and Jurgen Locadia.

The Seagulls would have to smash the club record £14 million they paid for Locadia, according to reports in Holland.

Alkmaar are said to rate Jahanbakhsh at around £22 million.

Although centre-half and centre-midfield are more of a priority for Albion, they could add to the wide options provided by Jose Izquierdo, Anthony Knockaert and Solly March, with the out-of-favour Jiri Skalak expected to leave.

The Seagulls had a long-term interest in Thomas Delaney before the Danish midfielder’s recent move to Borussia Dortmund from Werder Bremen for a big fee and big wages.

Napoli are among several other clubs linked with Jahanbakhsh, who lines up for Iran in their first World Cup group game against Morocco in St Petersburg today (4pm).