It is common practice for all the clubs in European football to spend the money on the desired players. But Indian clubs were not interested in this earlier.
However, ISL 7 has seen a massive chance of thought in this regard. Indian clubs seem to be interested in the transfer business.
It was a common practice among the Indian clubs to sign players who are the free agent. But this season clubs have gone for transfer business among them. Manveer Singh joined ATK Mohun Bagan FC from FC Goa for 80 lakhs where Dheeraj Singh went the opposite way for 70 lakhs in the January transfer window.
Indian clubs also paid the release clause to seal their deals. Mumbai City FC, backed by City Football Group, paid Rs 1.6 crore for the release clause of ISL 2019-20 Golden Ball winner Hugo Boumous to secure his services from FC Goa. The clubs also spent money to seal the signings of young talented players of the I-League.
Surprisingly, clubs have also gone for the foreigners of other leagues and clubs. ATK Mohun Bagan FC signed A-League’s Brisbane Roar’s Brad Inman for a transfer fee. Mumbai City FC signed Adam Le Fondre, Cy Goddard on loan.
The ISL clubs spent more than 6 times on incoming players than the last season. The clubs have spent 9.5 crores compared to last year’s Rs 1.4 crore.
Anuj Kichlu of Best Of You Sports said, “ISL has expanded and clubs are moving from 1-2 year contracts to long-term contracts with younger players. The buying and selling of players never happened in the first 4-5 years.”
