I-League 2017: Ex-Kerala Blasters' forward Manandeep Singh to join Mohun Bagan?

What's the story?

Former Kerala Blasters and Delhi Dynamos striker Manandeep Singh could well be on his way to join I-League heavyweights Mohun Bagan, with the January transfer window closing in.

In case you didn't know...

Manandeep Singh played for Minerva Punjab in the I-League last season. He has also been a part of the Indian Super League; turning out for Delhi Dynamos in the inaugural season in 2014 and later for Kerala Blasters in 2015. Manandeep has also played for the Indian national side with three caps to his name.

The heart of the matter

On Wednesday morning, Manandeep Singh joined the Mohun Bagan practice session ahead of their I-League fourth-round clash against Shillong Lajong FC.

The Kolkata side has been hit with injuries to crucial players such as star winger Sony Norde, Liberian striker Ansumana Kromah, and Japanese midfielder Yuta Kinowaki. The increasing injury list is said to have prompted Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen to find able replacements.

Manandeep Singh had earlier plied his trade in the I-League with Pailan Arrows, Air India, Rangdajied United and even the arch-rivals of Mohun Bagan, East Bengal. His best season in the I-League was with the Air India side in 2011-12, where he scored a total of 9 goals in 18 games.

What's next?

An official announcement about the signing of Manandeep Singh is awaited from the Mohun Bagan management, and it remains to be seen whether the Kolkata giants do end up turning this training session into a full-fledged contract for the forward.

Author's take

Mohun Bagan managed to humiliate Goan side Churchill Brothers 5-0 but coach Sanjoy Sen was handed a big injury list with key players potentially sidelined. The addition of 25-year-old Manandeep Singh will be a boost for the Kolkata-side as they aim to establish their dominance in the league and go all-out for another I-League title.