ISL: Chennaiyin FC close to retaining Rafael Crivellaro

Two-time Indian Super League (ISL) champions Chennaiyin FC are close to retaining star attacker Rafael Crivellaro ahead of the upcoming season, The Bridge understands.

Talks have been ongoing between the player’s representatives and the club for quite a while now, and sources close to the development have informed that it’s more or less a done deal. Both parties are close to reaching a mutual agreement and Crivellaro is likely to put pen to paper in the next few days.

Chennaiyin have been a little slow to get off the blocks in this transfer window and other clubs have taken advantage of the situation. Jamshedpur FC have lured Owen Coyle, the man responsible for Chennaiyin’s superb run last season, and leading goal-scorer Nerijus Vlaskis is also set to join the Red Miners. In such a scenario, there were doubts over Crivellaro’s future with the club as well.

https://twitter.com/ChennaiyinFC/status/1229803493449355264

The Brazilian proved himself to be one of the best creative midfielders in the league, pulling the strings for Chennaiyin. He helped the team make it all the way to the finals from a position where no one hoped that they would even qualify for the playoffs. The 31-year-old scored seven goals, including that 50-yard wonder strike against NorthEast United FC, and registered eight assists through the campaign.

It was no secret that he had attracted the attention of other ISL clubs over the summer. Jamshedpur wanted him, one other ISL club was interested and, in fact, East Bengal had also held talks earlier in the summer.

After confirming defender Eli Sabia’s extension, Chennaiyin would be hoping that Crivellaro also stays. They have also extended Anirudh Thapa’s contract by two years until 2022 but it remains to be seen how their team shapes up as the league approaches.