The Blues won the title of the Iran league last season but have been without a coach since parting company with Farhad Majidi.
The 49-year-old Portuguese coach started his coaching career in Sporting CP in 2012 and has also coached Braga, Legia Warsaw, Vasco da Gama and Gaziantep.
Sa Pinto has most recently worked in Moreirense as head coach.
Esteghlal has also negotiated with Alex Nouri, Jose Morais, Reza Enayati and Javad Nekounam.