'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Kerala Blasters are set to make Carl Baker their last foreign signing for the 2017-18 Indian Super League if reports in the British media are to be believed. The 34-year-old last played at Portsmouth before being released yesterday as the English transfer window slammed shut.
Baker is now a free agent and according to the Coventry Telegraph, he is close to a move to India and sources say that Kerala Blasters are in talks with the right-sided midfielder. Should he put pen to paper on a deal with the Blasters, he would join Iain Hume, Courage Pekuson, Nemanja Lakic-Pesic, Wes Brown, Paul Rachubka, Dimitar Berbatov and Mark Sifneos as the foreign signings at the Kochi-based club.
Baker was a former Coventry City captain, having played for the Sky Blues on 182 occasions, scoring 28 goals and assisting a further 26. He has also been heavily linked with a return to the League Two outfit but the interest from Kerala Blasters could scupper the Liverpudlian's Coventry move.
The player is believed to be favouring a move to India over a return to Coventry, according to The News' Neil Allen, who posted a tweet.
The ISL outfit have the financial might to gazump anything the League Two club offer Baker, who will be the big midfield reinforcement for the Blasters. The Men in Yellow have roped in defenders and forwards in numbers, but with only Milan Singh and Siam Hanghal the only specialist central midfielders in the squad, Baker will be a much-needed addition.
Although a wide midfielder by trade, Baker can also play centrally and on the opposite flank. He has played in England's lower leagues throughout his career, hence his transition to a similar standard of football in India will not be a major issue. The player himself is considering a move to India which will, most cer leave the Coventry faithful disappointed.
