Will continue to play ISL, next investor announcement within 15 days: East Bengal

Shree Cement, East Bengal asserted that they would announce a new investor "within 15 days" and will continue to play in the top-tier Indian Super League. Bangladesh conglomerate Bashundhara Group, which owns Bashundhara Kings club, has emerged as the frontrunner to invest in East Bengal. But they will need to complete some formalities before coming on board.

"We have held preliminary discussions with the Bashundhara Group who are currently in talks with the Prime Minister's Office," East Bengal's top executive committee member, Debabarata Sarkar, said at the club tent on Wednesday. "Once they receive a green signal, our talks will advance. We are confident of announcing our decision in the next 15 days or so." By inking a partnership with East Bengal, Shree Cement Limited (SCL) bought a majority stake in the club on September 2, 2020, paving the way for its last-minute entry into the ISL.

In their inaugural season under Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler, they finished ninth, while in the last edition they reached a new low, ending at the bottom of the table in the backdrop of a row between the club and SCL over signing of the final agreement. So the association had to be "terminated" as per the initial term sheet signed by East Bengal and, on Monday, SCL handed over the sporting rights, making them a free club to bid for a new investor. On the prospect of playing their third season in ISL, Sarkar said: "We'll definitely play in ISL.

Not only us, Mohammedan Sporting too will play in the ISL in the coming days. "Other than ISL, we'll look to play in all tournaments possible. We'll prepare four different teams if the need arises." "I can't say whether East Bengal will be able to become champions or not.