I-League Transfer Round-up: Ranti could leave United SC; Mohammedan likely to settle for Japanese

Less than 48 hours remain in the I-League winter transfer window and the squad registration deadline but a few more significant deals could still be completed.

Ranti Martins, I-League’s top scorer in the last three seasons, has been strongly linked with moves to either East Bengal or Mohun Bagan due to the ongoing financial problems of his current club United SC. There is still a big possibility of the Nigerian leaving with relegation-threatened Rangdajied United also being a possible destination now.

On Thursday, Ranti helped United SC finish third in the IFA Shield after beating East Bengal on penalties but a senior club official remains unsure of keeping the star striker beyond the transfer window.

“Ranti has expressed his desire of leaving the club if an acceptable offer comes along and frankly speaking we won’t stop him from joining any other team because we are struggling to pay his wages. But I have told him clearly that he must take a decision quickly so that I have some time in finding a replacement by Saturday night,” the senior club official told Sportskeeda on Thursday.

The purple shirts will also hold talks with Syrian defender Hassan Moustafa to discuss about his future at the club but they remain confident of retaining the other two foreigners – Eric Brown and Bello Rassaq – till the end of the campaign.

“We are still looking to add a few new faces if they are available for cheap and we will also promote a few junior players,” he added.

The club official remained tight-lipped about the identity of their next AFC A licensed head coach but hinted that it is likely to be a Bengali tactician.

Meanwhile Mohammedan Sporting might well have to settle for 34-year-old Japanese striker Taro Hasegawa as their Asian foreigner for the rest of this season. Sportskeeda revealed earlier on Thursday that the Kolkata giants have agreed terms with Lebanese forward Mustafa Shahin for a loan move from Shabab Al Sahel.

But the club management are more confident of getting Hasegawa’s ITC (International Transfer Certificate) before Saturday’s deadline. The club and head coach Sanjoy Sen also have a better idea about the Japanese as he is already in Kolkata and trained with the first-team squad on Thursday.

New Aussie at Pune FC

I-League title contenders and AFC Cup participants Pune FC are set to replace Australian James Meyer with compatriot Mirjan Pavlovic. Unlike Meyer, Pavlovic is a genuine centre forward, something which Pune have lacked since the departure of Raul Fabiani due to injury.

Born in Lika (former Yugoslavia), Pavlovic is a former Australia under-23 international and last played for Sydney United FC in the National Premier League New South Wales. The 24-year-old also had a spell at Wellington Phoenix in the A-League.