I-League 2018: Minerva Punjab's Chencho Gyeltshen incites interest from East Bengal
East Bengali are said to be preparing a bid for Minerva Punjab winger attacker Chencho Gyeltshen, after the iconic Bhutanese attacker played a crucial role in the Chandigarh-based club's I-League triumph.
Chencho has been the find of the season and several clubs are rumoured to go after him. ISL side ATK is also said to have approached him for a potential transfer for the 2018-19 ISL season.
Various reports suggest that East Bengal are eyeing a move for Chencho, and are ready to table an offer for the Bhutanese international.
Minerva Punjab owner Ranjit Bajaj revealed to Sportskeeda that he himself had also got wind of East Bengal's interest.
"I heard that East Bengal are preparing a bid. But I am yet to receive any concrete offers from them," he said. "Chencho is still our player, and he has a release clause against his name. So, East Bengal will have to pay a transfer fee, if they want to sign him.
"He has an extension clause in his contract, but if he does want to leave, the other party will have to pay the transfer fee," he added.
Chencho Gyeltshen played 17 games for Minerva Punjab and score 7 goals for the I-League Champions. He was extremely crucial in Minerva's title-winning campaign.
East Bengal has a knack for signing up players who do well in other teams often. They snapped up almost the entire I-League winning Aizawl FC Squad in the current season. Hence it is no surprise that East Bengal would line up for a big offer for the 'Bhutanese Ronaldo', who is often known as 'CG7'.
The Red and Golds are also rumoured to be in talks with Mohun Bagan striker Dipanda Dicka and also Gokulam Kerala forward Henry Kisekka.
With a lucrative AFC Champions League along with a potential AFC Cup campaign next season in the offing, it will be interesting how Chencho deals with offers from other clubs
Irrespective of any offered deals, Chencho Gyeltshen will play for Minerva Punjab in the upcoming Inaugural Super Cup. Minerva, who had originally threatened to pull out of the competition, are set to face-off against Jamshedpur FC in the Round of 16 tie on 2nd April in Bhubaneshwar.