Bhaichung Bhutia inches closer to sign a deal with East Bengal. At least, so it seems after the striker had a meeting with East Bengal football secretary Babu Bhattacharya on Wednesday.

Bhutia, who has been suspended for six months by Mohun Bagan, however, hasn’t entered into any official agreement with the red-and-golds.

“Even if he (Bhutia) signs on the dotted line to play for East Bengal in the coming season, it will be completely invalid till he gets the release order or the no-objection certificate from his present club. So, it is meaningless at the moment to ask for his written consent as far as playing for East Bengal is concerned. We didn’t discuss that issue during the meeting,” Bhattacharya told this paper.

He didn’t go into the details of the meeting but said that they would once again sit across the table soon.

“We will have another discussion before he leaves for the national team’s preparatory camp on June 24. I have to know what he wants from East Bengal in terms of salary and other facilities,” Bhattacharya explained.

Meanwhile, the club will take the final decision on recruiting two foreigners, Sebastian of Argentina and Australian defender Pyrod, only after seeing them in action in the IFA Shield.

The season opener is likely to be played from August 25 to September 11 and will be the selection trial for the two players. Brazilian striker Edmilson Marques, yet to recover from is back injury, will also feature in that tournament.

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