ISL 2020-21: Three big clubs involved in potential transfer merry-go-round

According to multiple reports, Mumbai City goalkeeper Amrinder Singh is set for a high-profile move to fellow Indian Super League (ISL) title challengers ATK Mohun Bagan after the completion of the current season. In what will be a transfer merry-go-round of sorts, Mohammad Nawaz of FC Goa is rumoured to be replacing him in the Islanders’ squad after his contract with the Gaurs runs out in the summer. Goa have already signed Dheeraj Singh from ATK Mohun Bagan to prepare for life without Nawaz.

https://twitter.com/MumbaiCityFC/status/1351549594149109762

Amrinder Singh’s move to the Kolkata giants is reportedly going to be an expensive affair for the Mariners. Khel Now reports that it is going to be a five-year contract valued at over ₹10 crore for the entire duration. However, based on his recent performances in the ISL, the highest capped Mumbai City custodian probably deserves it. He has the second highest save percentage in this year’s competition and already has seven clean sheets in 11 games. With Sergio Lobera insistent on playing out from the back, he has also improved his distribution which is reflected in a passing accuracy of close to 75%.

Curiously though, this puts a question mark over the future of current ATK Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharja who has also been superb this term. He is the only one who leads Amrinder in the number of clean sheets as well as saves percentage and has been one of the architects of the Mariners’ strong defensive foundation. Having signed a new two-year deal with the club just last October, it remains to be seen if he stays and competes with the Mumbai City captain or looks for greener pastures.

https://twitter.com/FCGoaOfficial/status/1352122363807109122

Then there is Mohammad Nawaz who would be itching to re-join his former boss Sergio Lobera at Mumbai City. He broke through a couple of seasons back under the Spaniard’s tutelage and kept nine clean sheets in 33 games in the last two seasons. This season however, the 21-year-old has managed just one clean sheet in 10 appearances and has reportedly rejected a contract renewal. That has in turn resulted in him being ousted from the side for the last two games with Juan Ferrando opting for the veteran Naveen Kumar instead. With Dheeraj also joining the side, it now seems that Nawaz’s departure is a matter of time.