Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
It’s has been an eventful campaign for FC Goa in the 2019-20 season. The Gaurs became India’s first team to qualify for the AFC Champions League, but missed out on claiming their first ISL crown losing in the semi-finals. However, Sergio Lobera’s unexpected sacking will always be at the top of the talking points. With Lobera’s exit, it was evident some player would follow the door too and it’s been rightfully making rounds across different media platforms in past couple of days.
While couple of days back after Hugo Boumous making a stunning statement showing his interest in European football, now it is learnt that Ahmed Jahouh is set to sign a contract with Mumbai City FC, where he might once again unite with his former boss Sergio Lobera, who is also heavily linked to the club.
The defensive midfielder who joined the club in 2017 was instrumental and was a regular in Lobera’s plans. The Moroccan played 56 games for the club scoring once and had seven assists to his credit. It was given to understand, Jahouh earned around 250,000 USD (Approximately 1.7 Cr per season) last season at Goa.
However after his impressive performance in his three seasons with the club, with an increasing demand from other ISL clubs, the midfielder demanded higher pay check in Goa.
It is learnt that both Hyderabad and Mumbai City FC were interested in signing the league’s most sorted player with the former offering him approximately 700,000 USD for two seasons (approximately 2.8 Cr) however according to various reports, Mumbai City are set to get his signature as they set to chase their first title under new ownership.
While this isn’t the only case, Goa will have to find a replacement for their retired stopper Carlos Pena and Ferran Corominas, who might hang his boots too, though the Club is yet to make a statement.
Spaniard Edu Bedia has already signed a contract with the club that keeps him in Goa till the end of the 2020-21 season and Hugo Boumous, who had an outstanding seasons scoring 11 goals and with 10 assists, has another two years with the club. But the club is yet to comment on Mourtada Fall’s future as they are still in negotiation, though confident of retaining the defender for next season.
With now AFC participation, FC Goa will now have to sign an Asian player and it’s given to understand that the club might sign an Asian defender as they are already eyeing another Spanish striker as Coro’s replacement.
The club has already signed three players so far with Redeem Tlang from NorthEast, Makan Chote from Punjab FC and Salgaocar FC’s Sanson Pereira.
The club has been shopping smartly in the transfer market investing in the upcoming youngsters from across the country and are chasing some exceptional foreign talent as they build their squad from the scratch for the next season and the AFC champions League.
