I-League: India international Anthony Pereira in talks with East Bengal

India international Anthony Pereira could be joining East Bengal as he has not been offered a new deal by Dempo, Sportskeeda can reveal.

Veterans like Clifford Miranda, Mahesh Gawli, Samir Naik and Peter Carvalho have been retained by Dempo but Anthony and right back Valeriano Rebello are unlikely to be given new contracts while former India captain Climax Lawrence is also yet to sign.

As a result, wide midfielder Anthony has held talks with East Bengal with both parties keen on getting the deal done, but the move is yet to be finalised.

“I have had a lot of discussions with East Bengal but haven’t signed yet. I had a great time at Dempo under Armando Colaco but now I want to try a new challenge in my career,” Anthony told Sportskeeda on Thursday.

After joining Dempo in 2006, Anthony won four league titles with the Panjim-based club and also played in the semi-finals of the AFC Cup in 2008. The 31-year-old has been capped 28 times at international level, with his most recent goal coming against Syria in the 2012 Nehru Cup.

Despite not being consistent in the 2012-13 I-League, in a campaign where he was also troubled by injuries, Anthony was still considered a part of Wim Koevermans’ national team setup and only missed out from the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers squad due to injury.

If Anthony, who can operate on both flanks, does join East Bengal, he will become the third Goan player to join a Kolkata club this season as Joaquim Abranches has already joined the red-and-gold brigade and Rowilson Rodrigues has moved to Mohun Bagan.

East Bengal does need a wide midfielder as Ishfaq Ahmed is out of contract and still hasn’t been offered a new deal while last season’s captain Sanju Pradhan is yet to decide his future.