The ISL Transfer News are on a hot roll after the rumours surrounding Jhingan's exit. The AIFF Men's player of the year Sandesh Jhingan could be quitting ATK Mohun Bagan to realise his dream of playing football in Europe. In fact, the India international hasn't joined the Mariners in Kolkata as they prepare for the AFC Cup. As per a Times of India report, the 28-year-old has offers from Austria, Croatia and Greece.

"Jhingan has two definite offers. He wants to give European football a try. Right now, he's talking to ATK Mohun Bagan to see what's best for everyone involved."

TOI's source

Also Read: Sandesh Jhingan Named AIFF Men's Footballer of Year, Suresh Wins Emerging Player Award

The ever-dependable Indian defender joined the Mariners last season on a five-year deal. According to Transfermarkt, the deal was worth somewhere around ₹ 10 Crores. However, it was not a routine transfer for Jhingan, rather an unceremonious exit from Kerala Blasters FC as they couldn't agree to terms regarding a Covid-induced pay-cut.

Sandesh's ambition of Europe or trying out a new league is known to everyone as he was heavily linked with Motherwell FC in Scotland and Al-Gharaffa in the Qatar Star League. However, it will be a huge blow to the ATKMB side with the AFC Cup knocking on the door. On the other hand, Jhingan has a favourable clause in his ATKMB contract. To clarify, it would allow him to leave the club if a foreign club opportunity comes knocking at his door.

Also Read: ISL transfer news: Top transfer rumours and news in the ISL

Head coach Manolo Márquez announces 28-member Blue Tigers travelling squad for Thailand friendly on May 28, 2025. All the 28 players, who are currently a part of the ongoing camp in Kolkata, will travel to Thailand for the FIFA friendly for the June 4 fixture.

With a crucial AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round on the horizon, the Indian Men's National Football Team is gearing up for a significant test. The squad will leave for Thailand on Wednesday evening for their friendly on June 4, at the Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani at 18:00 IST.

Subsequently, the team will depart for Hong Kong on the next day (June 5) for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round fixture.

Kolkata: The Blue Tigers' pre-Thailand training hub

The Blue Tigers' intensive training camp kicked off in Kolkata on May 19. The men in Blue underwent six full days of structured training and gym sessions. These were focused on refining patterns, defensive organisation, attacking transitions, and all other crucial elements for the gameplay.

A highlight of the camp was the inclusion of two practice matches:

• On May 26, the Blue Tigers faced Santosh Trophy Champions Bengal, securing a 2-1 victory. (goal scorers: Brandon Fernandes and Ashique Kuruniyan)
• On May 27, they faced North 24 Parganas, securing a 3-0 victory. (goal scorers: Sunil Chhetri, Chinglensana Singh Konsham and Udanta Singh Kumam)

Blue Tigers’ 28-member squad for the FIFA Friendly against Thailand

Goalkeepers: Hrithik Tiwari, Vishal Kaith, Gurmeet Singh, Amrinder Singh.

Defenders: Naorem Roshan Singh, Rahul Bheke, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Anwar Ali, Boris Singh Thangjam, Sandesh Jhingan, Asish Rai, Subhasish Bose, Mehtab Singh, Abhishek Singh Tekcham.

Midfielders: Suresh Singh Wangjam, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Udanta Singh Kumam, Lalengmawia Ralte, Liston Colaco, Ashique Kuruniyan, Brandon Fernandes, Nikhil Prabhu.

Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Edmund Lalrindika, Manvir Singh, Suhail Ahmad Bhat, Lallianzuala Chhangte.

Head Coach: Manolo Márquez

Assistant Coach: Mahesh Gawali

Assistant Coach: Benito Montalvo

Goalkeeper Coach: Marc Gamon

Strength and Conditioning Coach: José Carlos Barroso

Emami East Bengal FC has roped in Cameroon national team forward, Raphael Messi Bouli until the end of the current ISL 2024-25 season. Messi Bouli joins the Red & Gold Brigade from Chinese League One club Shijiazhuang Gongfu on a free transfer.

An experienced forward known for his scoring prowess, Messi Bouli returns to the Indian shores after five seasons, having netted 8 goals for Kerala Blasters FC in the 2019-20 edition of the Indian Super League.

Besides his impressive record in the ISL, Messi Bouli has plied his trade across Cameroon (FAP Yaounde, Canon Yaounde and APEJES), the Persian Gulf Pro League (Foolad FC) and China (Yanbian Funde, Heilongjiang Ice City, Liaoning Tieren FC, Nanjing City and Shijiazhuang Gongfu), scoring 69 goals in 173 club matches in the process. 

Messi Bouli registered 14 goals and 5 assists in 28 games for Shijiazhuang Gongfu in the previous season. He last played for the Chinese club in November 2024. The tall forward also represented the Cameroon national team on six occasions, between 2013 and 2018.

Note: The content has been created from a press release shared by Emami East Bengal. 

Football on and off the field is an exciting game for all the fans. Because, before the game starts on the field, a different game has to be won by the club officials to ensure the coach and the team get players to have a chance at the glory during the season. As the 11th season of the Indian Super League approaches, in the latest ISL transfer news we present you all the completed deals of Indian club football. 

From Anwar Ali and Hector Yuste's move to East Bengal from arch-rival Mohun Bagan, Jamie Maclaren and Greg Stewart signing deals with the Green and Maroon, Jorge Pereyra Diaz's inclusion to Bengalur FC team from Mumbai City FC to FC Goa grabbing Iker Guarrotxena from the Islanders; the trasnfer window was full of fun and tension for the fans and the club officials.

Read Also | From Dimi-Cummings to Roy-Mauricio: Here are the top attacking duos in ISL 2023-24 

Top five deals of the ISL 2024-25 season

Before we give you the completed list of transfers, here are top five signings of the ISL 2024-25 season.

1. Jamie Maclaren to Mohun Bagan Super Giant

All-time leading goalscorer of the A-League, a record five-time Golden Boot winner of the league, and a World Cupper with Australia, Jamie Maclaren joining the ISL shield winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant for four years, was surely the top signing of the season.

The Aussie striker spent six seasons with Melbourne City FC before heading for the Kolkata club. He has been registered outside the salary cap for Mohun Bagan and will be highest paid player in the Indian Super League this season.

Read Also | "Extremely honoured:" Apuia signs for Mohun Bagan SG for five years 

2. Dimitrios Diamantakos to East Bengal

East Bengal accuired the services of last season's ISL Golden Boot winner Dimitrios Diamantakos on a two-year deal from Kerala Blasters FC to solve their goal scoring porblem. Cuadrat had his eye on the Greek-striker and East Bengal management were able to sign him on a free transfer this season.

Read Also | East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan: Biggest wins in Kolkata derby history 

With 28 goals and 7 assists in just 44 games across two seasons in India, Diamantakos can surely be the saviour East Bengal fans are looking for since last few seasons.

3. Lallianzuala Chhangte's extension with Mumbai City FC

Regarded as one of the best wingers and attacking midfielders of current Indian football, 'Mizo Flash' Lalianzuala Chhangte has been one of the main reasons of Mumbai City FC's success in the Indian Super League. Since joining the Islanders in 2022, Chhangte went on to win the ISL Golden Ball in 2022-23 season and then in the next seasons became the first Indian player to record more than 15 goal contributions in consecutive seasons with 10 goals and 6 assits.

Read Also | Indian Football Awards: Here are list of winners from AIFF Awards 2024 

Chhangte has been pivotal to Mumbai City winning the ISL Cup in 2023-24 season and thus has been rewarded with a contract extension till 2026-27 season and also has been named as the captain of the side for this season.

4. Jesus Jimenez to Kerala Blasters FC

Jesus Jimenez, the 30-year-old striker from Spain has the experience of the playing in the Spainsh second division, Polish first-division and the MLS. Moreover, he has played in the Europa League as well.

Jimenez started his carrer with Club Deportivo Leganés and then flourised at FC Talavera where he helped the club to be promoted in the Sapnish second-division league. Then he joined Polish first-division club Górnik Zabrze and scored 43 goals along with 26 assists in four seasons before moving to MLS. 

He will join the Manjapadas in a free transfer for two years from Greek club OFI Crete where he spent the last season.

Read Also | ISL Winners List since 2014 

5. Vishal Kaith's contract extension with Mohun Bagan SG

Surely one of the best goalkeepers going around in India, Vishal Kaith has extended his contract with his favourite club Mohun Bagan despite having lucrative offers form other clubs in India. Vishal had been a part of the franchise (it was ATK Mohun Bagan back then) since 2022 and since then has been on the best in business.

Kaith's skill underneath the goalpost has helped Mohun Bagan win the ISL Cup in 2022-23 and then win the ISL Shield in the following season. Kaith has manged 27 clean sheets in 71 games for Mohun Bagan so far in his career and had won five back-to-back penalty shootouts before his record was broken in the Durand Cup 2024 final against NorthEast United.

vs HFC, ISL 2022-23 Semifinal
vs BFC, ISL 2022-23 Final
vs HFC, AFC Cup Qualifier
vs PFC, Durand Cup 2024 Quarter final
vs BFC, Durand Cup 2024 Final

If you want to win a penalty shootout, choose Vishal Kaith. 💪#DurandCup2024 #VishalKaith #Mohunbagan #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/oX74Fynh4F

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) August 28, 2024

All completed transfers of ISL 2024-25

ISL 2024-25 Transfers

Bengaluru FC

Chennaiyin FC

East Bengal FC

FC Goa

Kerala Blasters FC

The ISL 2024-25 season will be the 11th season of the Indian Super League (ISL) and the 29th season of the top-division premier football in India. Mohun Bagan are the defending champions and Mumbai City are the defending cup winners. As the transfer market has opened, teams are signing players to strengthen their squad. It's time we look at all the completed deals and the outgoings of the clubs for the upcoming season.

Read Also: Football facts: List of foreign coaches who coached the Indian football team

ISL 2024-25 Transfers: All completed deals till now

Odisha FC

Odisha missed out on the ISL League Winners’ Shield and title last season. Sergio Lobera will try to do better with the side this season. So far, Odisha have done three signings and have released six players. They have extended the contract of Carlos Delgado and Roy Krishna, their star players.

• Incomings: Rohit Kumar, Hugo Bumous, Raynier Fernandes
• Outgoings: CY Goddard, Aniket Jadhav, Michael Sossairaj, Pranjal Bhumij, Princeton Rebello, Sahil
• Contract Extension: Carlos Delgado, Roy Krishna

Chennaiyin FC

Despite not having a strong, big-name squad last season, Owen Coyle’s men reached the playoffs. The Marina Machans have been more than active in this transfer window and with more signings, there will be expectations to do better.

• Incomings: Gurkirat Singh, Mandar Rao Dessai, Kiyan Nassiri, Wilmar Jordan Gil, Daniel Chima Chukwu, Laldinpuia, Elsinho, Lukas Brambilla, Mohammad Nawaz, Lalrinliana Hnamte
• Outgoings: Rafael Crivellaro,
• Contract Extension: Connor Shields, Samik Mitra, Ryan Edwards, Jiteshwor Singh

FC Goa

FC Goa failed to win the ISL title last time out and some of their star players have left the club following the expiry of their contracts. They are doing signings in the window so it’ll be interesting to see how Goa copes with the new challenges.

• Incomings: Lara Sharma, Iker Guarrotxena, Dejan Dražić, Alan Saji, Sanatomba Singh Yanglem, Armando Sadiku, Borja Herrera
• Outgoings: Noah Sadaoui, Brandon Fernandes, Carlos Martinez, Dheeraj Singh, Sanson Pereira, Saviour Gama
• Contract Extension: Jay Gupta, Odei Oneindia, Arshdeep Singh, Raynier Fernandes

Jamshedpur FC

Jamshedpur FC will need a full revamp of the squad after good-performing players from last season have left the club.

• Incomings: Sreekuttan VS, Albino Gomes, Amrit Gope, Samir Murmu, Mobashir Rahman, Stephen Eze, Javi Hernandez, Shubham Sarangi, Aniket Jadhav, Ashutosh Mehta
• Outgoings: Elsinho, Laldinpuia, Daniel Chima Chukwu, Jitendra Singh
• Contract Extension: Rei Tachikawa, Seiminlen Doungel, Javier Siverio, Pronay Halder

Kerala Blasters

Kerala Blasters qualified for the playoffs last season, but couldn’t make the most of their brilliant start. They have hired Mikael Stahre in the hope of changing their fortunes.

• Incomings: Likmabam Rakesh, Som Kumar, R Lalthanmawia, Nora Fernandes, Noah Sadaoui, Alexandre Coeff
• Outgoings: Marko Leskovic, Dimitrios Diamantakos, Fedor Cerynch, Daisuke Sakai, Karanjit Singh, Jeakson Singh
• Contract Extension: Adrian Luna, Milos Drincic, Sandeep Singh

Mohammedan S.C.

Mohammedan became the second side to be promoted to ISL after their winning campaign in the I-League. They have signed Fahad Temuri and are releasing the deadwood from the club.

• Incomings: Fahad Temuri
• Outgoings: David Lalhlasanga, Bedashwor Singh, Biaka Jongte, James Kithan, Evgeny Kozlov, Karan Deep, Abhash Thapa, Juan Nellar, Abhijit Sarkar

Read Also: Indian football transfer news: East Bengal sign Jeakson Singh; Mohun Bagan rope in Greg Stewart

East Bengal

The Red & Gold Brigade won silverware last season after 12 years and will be playing Asia this season. Their ISL campaign was not ideal but better than their first one. They are doing business regularly in the ongoing transfer window and fans are expecting to see their beloved club improve more this time. The Kolkata Giants were defensively very strong but were poor when it came to scoring goals. They have signed last season's Golden Boot winner Diamantakos from Kerala Blasters so Carles Cuadrat's side looks strong in comparison to last season.

• Incomings: Dimitrios Diamantakos, David Lalhlasanga, Mark Zothanpuia, Madih Talal, Provat Lakra, Debjit Majumder, Jeakson Singh
• Outgoings: Mobashir Rahman
• Contract Extension: Saul Crespo, Cleiton Silva, Hijazi Maher, Mohamad Rakip, Nishu Kumar

Mohun Bagan Super Giant

Mohun Bagan missed out on a domestic treble last season and they will be hungry for more this time. The fans will expect them to do better this time in Asia. Jose Molina is going to lead the team in the upcoming season and the management is doing brilliant in the transfer window to give their manager enough to do well in the season. They did a record-breaking signing recently, bringing in lethal goal scorer Jamie Maclaren from Melbourne City FC.

• Incomings: Lalengmawia Ralte (Apuia), Tom Aldred, Alberto Rodriguez, Greg Stewart, Jamie Maclaren, Dheeraj Singh
• Outgoings: Hnamte, Kiyan Nassiri, Hector Yutse, Brendon Hamil, Joni Kauko, Hugo Bumous

Mumbai City

Petr Kratky's Mumbai City won the ISL title last season. Mumbai have made some big changes in this window. They have signed lots of players and released 12 players already. 

• Incomings: Brandon Fernandes, TP Rehenesh, Noufal PN, Daniel Lalhlimpuia, Jérémy Manzorro, Hardik Bhatt, Jon Toral, Sahil Panwar, Nikolaos Karelis, Hitesh Sharma, Supratim Das
• Outgoings: Rahul Bheke, Jorge Pererya Diaz, Vinit Rai, Alberto Noguera, Mohammad Nawaz, Yakub Vojtus, Gurkirat Singh, Bhaskar Roy, Rowlin Borges, Tondonba Singh, Naocha Singh, Lalengmawia Ralte (Apuia)
• Contract Extension: Valpuia, Tiri, Jayesh Rane, Lallianzuala Chhangte

NorthEast United

NorthEast United missed out on the playoffs last season. They would like to perform better in comparison to last season but haven't been quite active in the transfer window. The Highlanders have signed only two players, Mayakkannan Muthu and Guillermo Fernandez. 

• Incomings: Mayakkannan Muthu, Guillermo Fernández
• Outgoings: Manvir Singh, Gani Nikam, Gaurav Bora, Hira Mondal, Rochharzela
• Contract Extension: Bemmamer, Asheer Akhtar

Bengaluru FC

Bengaluru FC were very poor last season. They finished 10th in the 12-team league and there will be plenty of changes in the squad for the Blues. Bengaluru have signed two new players this season but have left numerous players. They are expected to sign more in the ongoing transfer window.

• Incomings: Lalthuammawia Ralte, Pedro Capo
• Outgoings: Olivier Drost, Slavko Damjanovic, Amrit Gope, Vikram Singh, Javi Hernandez, Rohit Kumar, Robin Yadav, Amay Morajkar, Lara Sharma, Shankar Sampingraj

Punjab FC

Punjab FC improved a lot last season but there will be high expectations from them this time. They have a whole new foreign management and coach. It’ll be interesting to see what Punjab FC does this time in the league. They have done a few signings this season and have released some deadwood from the club.

• Incomings: Vinit Rai, Muheet Shabir, Ninthoinganba Meetei, Nihal Sudeesh, Filip Mrzljak
• Outgoings: Dimitrios Chatziisaias, Mohammad Salah K, Amarjit Singh, Madih Talal, Sahil Tavora, Isaac Vanmalsawma, Krishnanda Singh, Juan Mera, Luka Majcen, Daniel Lahlimpuia, Jordan Wilmar Gil
• Contract Extension: Ashis Pradhan, Ricky Shabong, Manglenthang Kipgen, Suresh Meitei, Ravi Kumar

Hyderabad FC

Due to the financial issues at Hyderabad FC, the club is facing FIFA bans. Unless the situation is sorted out, no incomings are expected.

The Blue Tigers are set to meet their Asian neighbours Afghanistan in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers on Friday (March 22) at the Damac Stadium in Abha, Saudi Arabia. A win in the Afghanistan vs India fixture will give three points to the Blue Tigers and take them an inch closer to the third round of the ongoing Qualifiers. India have never made it to the third round of the Qualifiers since their first-ever appearance in the Qualifiers in 1985.

Also Read: Exclusive Manisha Kalyan: "The opportunity to play for India is hard to get; so give your all," Manisha to youngsters

India are coming into the contest after a disappointing AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 campaign. India were knocked out of the tournament from the group stage after losing to Australia, Uzbekistan, and Syria in Group B.

When and Where is the Afghanistan vs India match?

Afghanistan's home leg will take place on March 21, 2024 (March 22, 12.30 am IST) in Abha, Saudi Arabia while India's home leg will be played at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on March 26, 2024.

When and Where to watch the Afghanistan vs India match in India?

The FIFA World Cup qualifiers 2026 between Afghanistan and India on March 22, 2024, will be streamed live on FanCode. The match will also be broadcast live on DD Sports. The match will kick-start at 12:30 am IST (Friday).

Also Read: Indian football team get ready to face Afghanistan in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers 2026 in Saudi

India's squad for the Afghanistan fixture

• Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Vishal Kaith.

• Defenders: Akash Mishra, Mehtab Singh, Rahul Bheke, Nikhil Poojary, Subhasish Bose, Anwar Ali, Amey Ranawade, Jay Gupta.

• Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, Liston Colaco, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Sahal Abdul Samad, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Deepak Tangri, Lalengmawia Ralte, Imran Khan.

• Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manvir Singh, Vikram Partap Singh.