ISL: ATK and Pune City eye Indian youngster

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Kolkata, November 29: Indian FIFA U-17 World Cup star Komal Thatal could be set to join the ISL 2017 bandwagon after reports suggest that a host of Indian Super League franchises are interested in the services of the youngster.

Earlier, it had been reported that he had rejected an offer from a second division club in Turkey as well as a deal from I-League side Minerva Punjab FC due to his desire to play in the Indian Super Leahue.

Now, the youngster is expected to join the Stallions after having being pitched to various ISL sides by his agent.

It has been reported that both FC Pune City and two-time champions ATK want the Golden Boy of Indian football.

When asked about any development in signing Thattal, a senior official of Pune gave a very shrewd reply.

He was one of India's most promising prospects ahead of the FIFA U-17 World Cup but could only start one game in the competition against the United States which was a decision of the manager that was put under scrutiny.

A number of Thatal's teammates from the World Cup campaign will play for the Indian Arrows in the I-League this season but the youngster was not included in the squad, which is being coached by Luis Norton de Matos.

Sources close to ATK have revealed that the club has entered the race with FC Pune City to try and convince the player to join them for the current season of the ISL.

Both ATK and Pune City are in need of reinforcements but there is a doubt whether the young dynamic forward would be able to offer them a lot due to his small frame.

He must work on his physique to cope with the physicality senior level football demands, the very reason why Luis Norton opts not to play him.