ISL: Uncertainty at East Bengal, Omid Singh in talks with Kerala Blasters and 2 others

With each passing day, East Bengal’s chances of playing in the Indian Super League (ISL) are becoming slimmer and slimmer and now, to add salt to their wound, the players they had signed with hopes of playing in the country’s top flight are now looking for backup options.

As per reports in Bengali media, Indo-Iranian winger Omid Singh, who created quite a buzz when he reportedly signed with the century-old football club, wants to play only in the ISL if he is playing in India. The 29-year-old is apparently keeping backup options ready and has been in talks with at least three other ISL clubs.

Kerala Blasters FC, Mumbai City FC and Jamshedpur FC have reportedly all been in talks with him over a possible transfer. Omid, himself, wants to wait and see, till 31st August, if East Bengal get entry into the ISL. If not, then he will surely join a new club.

https://twitter.com/TheBridge_IN/status/1246715987816316931

East Bengal’s executive committee member Debabrata Sarkar had previously confirmed that Omid had put pen to paper and would join the club on a two-year deal. Along with Omid, the club had also announced the signings of a number of domestic stars, from Balwant Singh to Eugeneson Lyngdoh.

However, it is learnt that most of these players have a clause on their contracts that state that if the Red and Golds do not play in the ISL in the upcoming season, then they will have an option to look for new clubs. It looks like Omid is certainly headed in that direction.

East Bengal, despite desperate attempts, are yet to finalise an investor who would give them the financial backing required to play in the ISL. Football Sports Development Ltd. (FSDL), on their part, are keen to go ahead with a 10-team league, given the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. As things stand, uncertainty looms large on the Kolkata giants’ immediate future.