ISL: Hugo Boumous set to complete record Rs 1.6 crore move to Mumbai City

Transfer fees for player acquisitions are almost unheard of Indian football, mostly because players are on short term contracts. However, the tide seems to be changing fast with Indian Super League (ISL) franchise Mumbai City FC reportedly shelling out a whopping Rs 1.6 crore for FC Goa midfielder Hugo Boumous ahead of the upcoming season.

On Monday, Boumous, who won the Golden Ball award last season after finishing with 10 goals and 11 assists from 15 games, announced on his Instagram that he was departing and bid his farewells to the Goa fans. However, moments later, FC Goa, on their official social handles, posted a statement saying that the French midfielder remains a contracted player.

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Indeed, Boumous had signed a three-year extension just last season and still has two more years left on his contract at Goa. But with former coach Sergio Lobera joining the Islanders and a host of FC Goa stars following suit, chances of Boumous also making the switch were always there.

Lobera likes to work with players he knows inside out and Boumous falls in that category. The 24-year-old was an instrumental figure in the Spanish coach’s Goa team and it was no surprise that Mumbai would come to get him. As per a report in the Times of India, the City Football Group (CFG) backed club made an offer to FC Goa to buy out Boumous’ contract for a sum of Rs 1.6 crore.

As per sources, the personal terms between Boumous and Mumbai have been agreed and FC Goa is also set to accept the offer in the coming days.

It is to be noted that the sum which Mumbai has offered to pay is much higher than the record Rs 1 crore transfer fee paid by Japanese J2 League club Albirex Niigata to Chennai City FC for Pedro Manzi. Interestingly, Boumous is the second Goa player to command a transfer fee in this window. Earlier, Indian striker Manvir Singh was signed by ATK Mohun Bagan FC for a reported fee of Rs 80 lakhs.