ISL 2017/18: Mumbai City FC midfielder Zakeer Mundampara set to join rivals Kerala Blasters FC

Mumbai City's gritty midfielder Zakeer Mundampara could be all set to join rival club Kerala Blasters FC as a deal between the two clubs has reached its latter stages.

The 27-year-old player has been a feature in the Mumbai City FC team this season in the Indian Super League (ISL) but is now closing in on a move to the southern coast of the country, it has been learnt by Sportskeeda.

Mundampara has played at a number of clubs before settling into life in a Mumbai shirt, and one of his biggest accolades has to be the 2015 ISL triumph with Chennaiyin FC in a season where the native Malayali man played a leading role.

The former Mohun Bagan, Salgaocar and Churchill Brothers man has managed an impressive nine appearances in a Mumbai City FC jersey this season but his time at the club appears to be coming to an end, with a move to his native Kerala seeming increasingly inevitable. Though he is certainly a player to depend on, Mundampara hasn't entirely been in the plans of manager Alexandre Guimaraes who has preferred a setup that doesn't really suit a player like him.

It is further learnt that Kerala Blasters could be interested in a swap deal with Mumbai as well, with their own player Milan Singh ending up on the west coast in order to make room for Zakeer Mundampara in midfield. The arrival of the India U-23 International in the Kerala ranks could bolster the team that will be looking to refurbish their side for next season after being left largely disappointed this campaign.

The outfit owned by Sachin Tendulkar will have their eyes on the future and with their pursuit of a midfielder like Mundampara, it is clear that they wish to go all the way in the coming ISL seasons.