Mohun Bagan are set to sign Alex Saji on a 3 Year Deal
Mohun Bagan have agreed a deal in principle with SC Delhi for the permanent transfer of Alex Saji, MBFT can confirm. As reported by Khel Now today, MBFT can confirm that the Keralite centre-back has agreed to join the Kolkata Giants and is expected to join training soon.
Mohun Bagan were keen to strengthen the centre-back department this season, with the club initially interested in Pramveer Singh. Once it became clear that the move would not happen, Bagan acted promptly to sign Rahul Bheke on a one-year deal. The club were satisfied with their business and then shifted their focus to the Lallianzuala Chhangte deal.
However, due to the uncertainty surrounding Indian football, several top players have become available in the market, and Bagan were offered multiple top Indian defenders by their associated agencies during the first week of July. Sandesh Jhingan and Alex Saji were two of the prominent names on the list. Bagan were allowed to sign Sandesh, but the club had certain conditions, which the Indian National Team captain did not agree to, and he decided to remain at Goa.
The next name on the list was Alex Saji, whom the club has been tracking since the 2024–25 summer transfer window, when they first explored a deal. Bagan reportedly agreed a fee with Hyderabad FC in 2024, but Saji wanted a five-year contract at the time, while Bagan were prepared to offer only a three-year deal, resulting in the move collapsing.
However, this time the deal was much easier, as Saji was comfortable with Bagan's conditions, and he was made available in the market by SC Delhi. Bagan acted promptly over the last 24 hours to reach an agreement with the ISL side.
Alex Saji has been signed primarily to compete with Mehtab for the centre-back position, while Rahul Bheke is currently viewed as a right-back and Abhisek Tekcham Singh as a left-back. Captain Subhasish Bose, along with Asish Rai, is expected to remain on the bench. An outgoing from the defensive department is considered unlikely, but possible, according to a club source.
Panagiotis Dilmperis is a big admirer of the SC Delhi captain, whom he wanted to sign for Punjab FC last season. Now, with Alberto signing a one-year contract extension (with an option to extend for another year), Bagan are looking at an experienced backline, with young backups like Dippendu and Umer waiting in the reserves.
MBFT has been told that Bagan are not done yet, as the club are still pushing for the signature of goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari, for whom they submitted a lucrative financial package last week. Bagan are now waiting for a response, which they believe is expected within a week. Mohun Bagan have also been offered a versatile full-back from a Southern Indian club, but the club are yet to make a move, as they have a dream full-back target and do not want to disrupt that plan.
MBFT can confirm, Bagan have finalised a Three-Men shortlist for the striker, as Robson Robinho is set to depart the club.
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