It’s the transfer deadline day and Mumbai City FC are set to make the biggest scoop of the day as they have agreed terms with Lallianzuala Chhangte as well as Chennaiyin FC for a January transfer. Mumbai City FC and Chennaiyin FC were negotiating throughout the window about the fee and have finally managed to seal the deal. Lallianzuala Chhangte is set to join the Mumbai City FC on loan till the end of the season and will join permanently next season. He has agreed a 3 year pre-contract with Mumbai City FC.
“Mumbai City FC are very close to complete the signing of Lallianzuala Chhangte on the deadline day. They have agreed all the terms and will be working to complete the formalities before the deadline,” a source close to the developments informed IFTWC.
Mumbai City FC have been long-term admirers of the Mizo winger and were the front-runners to sign him since the last few months. Chhangte had signed a 3-year-deal with Chennaiyin FC, which would have kept him at the club till June 2022. Chennaiyin FC were keen to keep their star winger and extend his contract.
As the January window got closer, both the parties were unable to agree on terms and Lallianzuala Chhangte seemed like he had already made his mind. Apart from Mumbai City FC, Kerala Blasters were desperate for his signature. Atleast 2 more ISL clubs had made initial enquiry to sign Chhangte. In January, Mumbai City FC agreed terms with Lallianzuala Chhangte on a pre-contract, which would see him joining the Islanders in June 2022.
After a couple of weeks in January, the Islanders made an official enquiry about Lallianzuala Chhangte’s availability for a January transfer as they were looking bolster their squad for the rest of the season as well as the AFC Champions League. Initially, both the club were in disagreement about the fee but both the clubs have now reached an agreement on the deadline day as Chennaiyin FC were left with little choice.
Lallianzuala Chhangte is the highest scoring Indian midfielder in the history of the ISL. The 24-year-old winger from Lunglei has appeared for Northeast United and Delhi Dynamos before joining Chennaiyin FC in 2019. Chhangte’s current season is not his best with only 1 goal and 1 assist to his name but Chennaiyin FC have struggled to create opportunities and have least number of goals this season.
Lallianzuala Chhangte hasn’t featured much for Chennaiyin FC this season. “I’m not playing Lallianzuala Chhangte for tactical reasons,” said the gaffer in one press conference. He also mentioned that the decision lies with Chhangte about where he wants to play in the future as his contract is expiring.
Mumbai City FC have been very active in the winter transfer window. The Islanders replaced injured Rowllin Borges and Vikram Singh with Vinit Rai and Ravi Kumar respectively. Both the players joined the club on loan from Odisha FC. Brazilian forward Ygor Catatau made way for fellow countryman Diego Mauricio. The Islanders will hugely benefit with the inclusion of Lallianzuala Chhangte.
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