Kolkata: Hero ISL franchise Kerala Blasters continues to stun the transfer market as they are heading towards the new “Galactico” of Indian football. After making two mega signings in the form of Dimitar Berbatov and Wes Brown, the Blasters are now plotting a transfer move for Brazilian superstar Julio Baptista.
Former Real Madrid and Arsenal star Julio Baptista is expected to join the Blasters in a few days time. According to sources, the ISL franchise is close to complete the transfer with the 35-year-old.
Baptista left Major League Soccer team Orlando City in January this year and has been without a club since then.
The deadline for ISL transfers is by the end of this month but free agents can be signed outside the transfer window. That said, Baptista will be another marquee addition to the Blasters squad should he put pen to paper.
The 2017-18 Indian Super League campaign starts on November 17 and teams are expected to head for their preseason camps a month in advance. Kerala Blasters, having appointed the Dutchman Meulensteen, will most likely head to the Netherlands for their preseason camp.
Whether signing Baptista will improve Kerala Blasters remains to be seen, but alternative information suggests that the Brazilian is a contingency arrangement from the club in case the Berbatov deal falls through at the last minute, which is an unlikely prospect.
Baptista is one of the most well-known Brazilian forwards of the past decade, having featured for the likes of Real Madrid, Arsenal, AS Roma and Sevilla among others, he will be an invaluable addition to any ISL side, not least Kerala Blasters.