ISL 2017: 5 forwards who could join the league in the January transfer window

The Indian Super League (ISL) has had its fair share of legends grace the tournament in just a few short years and every year there is anticipation among football fans in India over the arrival of some more high-profile names that would bring worldwide attention to India's richest football competition.

Since the league began in 2014, the concept of "marquee" signings has taken precedence in order to lure big stars from around the footballing world and bring them to the subcontinent with lucrative offers. Though the format may have changed since then, 2017 too has seen a decent number of big name players enter the ISL with the likes of Wes Brown, Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane all entering the fray.

With plenty of football stars currently out of a club, we've narrowed it down to five strikers who are free agents as we speak and could possibly make their way into the ISL with the January transfer window coming up. If these deals do materialise, it will surely bolster competition all around Indian football.

#1 Mounir El-Hamdoui

El-hamdoui made his name at Ajax — El-Hamdoui made his name in Holland

Mounir El-Hamdoui may not be considered a legend by any stretch of the imagination but there is no doubting his poaching ability in front of goal and his knack of scoring important goals for his clubs.

The former Ajax, AZ and Tottenham Hotspur man has shown at his various clubs that he is more than capable of holding his own and with his recent stint at Al-Taawon FC coming to an end, the free agent could be headed for a move to the ISL. His experience could prove vital for ISL clubs looking to change their fortunes up front.

#2 Eduardo

Eduardo is a name familiar to Arsenal fans and the Croatian proved his ability under Arsene Wenger even though he is mostly known for his horrific injury suffered while playing for the Gunners. Nonetheless, his scoring prowess has never been doubted and the striker was an integral part of the Shakhtar Donetsk squad and played and scored on a regular basis for the club. His recent transfer story, however, seems uncertain and a move to Atletico Paranaense has not developed into anything big, raising speculation over his future.

The opportunity to play in the ISL in front of a full house could prove to be the telling tale for Eduardo and India may be his next choice of transfer if all remains smooth which could revitalize his ageing career.

#3 Diego Capel

Diego Capel is widely considered one of those players who offered his all to the team even if his records may not necessarily show the same. The Spaniard has two International caps to his name and a truckload of appearances for Sevilla and Sporting CP. His latest club was Anderlecht but it seems highly unlikely that the 29-year-old will continue playing at the club into 2018.

The ISL would be the perfect launchpad for the Spanish winger who still has a good number of years left in the tank before he calls it a day. ISL clubs should be doing their research in order to secure his services as soon as possible.

#4 Marouane Chamakh

Another former Gunner on this list is Moroccan Marouane Chamakh who has travelled around Europe and played for a fair number of clubs during his glory days. After making his name at Bordeaux and scoring goal after goal, Arsene Wenger could not stop himself from signing the striker who promised so much but delivered very little. Following stints with Crystal Palace and Cardiff City in the United Kingdom, hope looks bleak for Chamakh that he will find another big club in Europe to ply his trade.

Amid speculation of a move away from the continent, the sub-continent could come calling for Chamakh, where ISL clubs are more than aware of his talent from yesteryear and this could be the spark needed to bring out the best in the striker. While his move is far from confirmed, fans should be excited at the prospect of having yet another established star among the ISL ranks.

#5 Mirko Vucinic

Best known for his time in the Serie A, Mirko Vucinic firmly established his name as a goalscorer in Italy following a great start to life at Lecce and then taking that good form into Roma and Juventus where he won top honours in Italy. The forward has since fallen out of favour slightly and finds himself at Al Jazira where time is certainly running out.

A move to the ISL in January cannot be ruled out at all and the Montenegro international could find life in India rather appealing. The ISL clubs should certainly keep a keen eye on him this January.

Edited by Shraishth Jain