ISL: Kerala Blasters offers contract to ex-Mohun Bagan star Joseba Beitia

Indian Super League (ISL) franchise Kerala Blasters FC have offered Joseba Beitia, one of the key members of Mohun Bagan’s I-League-winning squad last season, a contract worth 100,000 USD, The Bridge understands. However, the player is said to be waiting to see what other offers he has on the table before making a final decision on where he wants to play next season.

Beitia, 29, was arguably one of the best foreigners playing in the I-League last season. He featured in all 16 matches for Bagan, missing only about 25 minutes of action through the entire campaign, and notched up 3 goals and 9 assists. It was from his assist that Papa Babacar Diawara scored the solitary goal against Aizawl FC on March 10 that sealed the title for the Kolkata giants.

However, despite his heroics, the Spanish midfielder was left without a club when the season ended amid the coronavirus pandemic. With Mohun Bagan merging with ATK FC, there would be no place for Beitia in the newly formed team which already boasts of stars like Roy Krishna, David Williams, Edu Garcia, and Javi Hernandez.

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"I am in talks for next season but I have not decided anything yet. I think I am going to play in India next season,” Beitia had told Times of India a few weeks back.

It is no secret that Kibu Vicuna — Mohun Bagan’s coach last term and current coach of Kerala Blasters — is a huge admirer of Beitia. In fact, the day it was announced that the Spanish mastermind would join the Kochi-based franchise, the rumour mills had started linking him with Kerala. It is understood that Vicuna is working closely with the club’s sporting director Karolis Skinkys and the new management to identify players who can fit in his style.

The club, like many other entities, has taken a financial hit because of the pandemic but the management believe they can pull together a strong squad within a limited budget. That’s why several players were asked to take a pay cut, Sandesh Jhingan was allowed to leave. The idea is that at Jhingan’s price, they would play two cheaper foreign defenders, who maybe don’t have the same profile but are quality players.

It remains to be seen whether or not Beitia accepts the deal but if Kerala do get him, it could be a potential gamechanger. The Spanish No. 10 is known to build a good connection with the fans through his performances on the pitch and it could do wonders for the club as well as the management.

Also read: EXCLUSIVE — Kibu Vicuna on Mohun Bagan success, why he joined Kerala Blasters and more