'%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)
What's the story?
ISL side Kerala Blasters ended their interest in India U-17 star Komal Thatal and confirmed that they will not be looking to sign the youngster once the January transfer window opens in a month's time.
Sources close to the Kochi-based team have confirmed to Sportskeeda on Saturday that the team management did not feel the youngster would fit in the first team lineup this season and thus, they opted to end their interest in the starlet.
This development comes just two days after it was reported that the player had been offered to the Blasters by his agent.
In case you didn't know
Thatal is touted as one of the hottest prospects in Indian football and was part of the India side that participated in the FIFA U-17 World Cup later this year. The Sikkim-born youngster, however, only featured in the first match of the competition against the United States and did not get any playing time in the next two games.
The heart of the matter
The youngster was not picked by the Indian Arrows, a side consisting of India's U17 and U19 players, for the ongoing I-League season and as a result, Thatal is considering his options and is the subject of interest for a number of teams.
The forward has already turned down offers from a Turkish second division side and Minerva Punjab FC in the I-League, who also promised him a minimum game-time of 10 matches.
The player is said to have his eyes set on an ISL move and ATK, FC Pune City and Kerala Blasters were the sides reported to be in the race to sign him. However, with this latest development. the Blasters have dropped out of the contest.
What's next?
Thatal still has a number of offers on his plate and is expected to make a decision soon after weighing all his options.
Author's take
It is not surprising to see the Blasters pull out from the race, given the talent at their disposal in attack. It would have been extremely difficult for the youngster to break into the starting lineup and now it remains to be seen which club will snap him up first.
