The impasse over Steven Dias’s move from Mahindra United to East Bengal ended today with the midfielder agreeing to stay with the Mumbai team after a discussion with their club's president.

Dias and his team mate NP Pradeep had negotiated lucrative deals with Kolkata giants East Bengal while they had a subsisting contract with Mahindra and the issue had been forwarded to AIFF's Players Status Committee, which had decided on August 28 that the transfer would stand rejected if no amicable solution is reached between the two clubs by Friday.

Dias, who met Mahindra United boss Allan Durante on Friday, was given some consolation by his employers. "I had a meeting with Durante and he was a completely different man today. Even though he refused to talk about the contract in detail, he has assured me that I will be a happy man after he speaks to our coach Derrick Perreira. When I asked him why couldn't he speak to him over the phone he said that he didn't want to disturb the coach as the team was in the finals of the Durand Cup. The salary hike will be decided after the team comes back to Mumbai on Monday," Dias told The Indian Express over the phone.

When contacted, coach Perriera said: "I have no clue what discussion took place today between our president and Steven. I have no role to play in the salary hike of these players. I will be asked about my opinion whether I need them in my team and definitely there is no doubt that I want them to stay."

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