ISL 2018-19: The Transfers that did not happen

There were plenty of rumors afloat about some of the biggest players in the ISL linked to a move to other clubs. While some of the transfers materialized, there were many rumors which ended up being just rumors.

ATK were the most active club during the transfer window. They roped in players of the likes of right-back Pritam Kotal from Delhi Dynamos and winger Edu Garcia. Halicharan Narzary and CK Vineeth also moved to Chennaiyin (on loan) from Kerala Blasters.

Moroccan midfielder Zaid Krouch, who has played under Sergio Lobera at Moghreb Tétouan, put pen to paper for FC Goa.

Youngsters Nongdamba Naorem and Baoringdao Bodo joined hands with Kerala Blasters FC as well. Bhutanese winger Chencho joining Neroca FC on loan from Bengaluru FC is another high-profile signing.

However, in this article, we take a look at the Top 5 transfers which never took place.

#5 Dani Aquino to Bengaluru FC

Dani Aquino never confirmed a deal with Bengaluru FC

Talks were rife that Bengaluru FC were looking to sign Spanish Centre-Forward Dani Aquino from Real Murcia.

The versatile player possesses tremendous goal-scoring ability and has represented Atletico Madrid (B and C teams), Racing, Real Valladolid, Real Oviedo, and CD Numancia in the past. He was touted to be an important player in case he joined The Blues.

However, the 28-year-old, who was being looked at as a replacement for Bengaluru FC's Chencho Gyeltshen, never confirmed a deal with the club.

Carles Cuadrat and his troops are not the same without injured striker Miku. They have instead signed Luisma Villa - a Spaniard who plays as an attacking midfielder.

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#4 Eugeneson Lyngdoh to Bengaluru FC

Lyngdoh will be hoping that he can soon turnaround his fortunes

Eugeneson Lyngdoh was slated for a move back to The Blues. The experienced Indian player was with Bengaluru from 2014 to 2017 and represented them in 77 matches and scored 17 goals.

He was named the I-League Midfielder of the Year during the 2014-15 season and also got a chance to lift the I-League trophy during the 2015–16 season.

The central midfielder was roped in by ATK ahead of the 2017-18 ISL season. However, Lyngdoh was ruled out for the entire season due to a Lateral Collateral Ligament tear on his left knee at the very beginning.

The 32-year-old has not found much game time under Coppell this season. He has just come on as a substitute in three matches and cumulatively played only 40 minutes.

This year has also not gone Lyngdoh's way - from being a regular player in the Indian national team to finding it difficult to get game time at club level.

Lyngdoh will be hoping that he can soon turnaround his fortunes and again prove to the World why he was one of the most expensive players in the ISL.

#3 Miguel Palanca to Jamshedpur FC and ATK

Sergio Lobera's troops are currently at the fourth position on the ISL table. They have won six, drawn three, and lost three of their matches and have 21 points on board.

However, Spanish midfielder Miguel Palanca Fernandez has got barely any playing time at FC Goa. The 31-year-old has three goals to his name in the seven matches and 162 minutes (overall) he has spent on the field this season.

There is no dearth of foreign players for FC Goa with the likes of Corominas, Hugo Boumous and Ahmed Jahouh in their ranks.

They have also signed Zaid Krouch from Moghreb Tetouan. This made it even more difficult for Palanca to get playing time.

The Spaniard was linked to a move to either ATK or Jamshedpur FC but has now joined second tier Spanish League club Gimnàstic de Tarragona on loan from FC Goa.

#2 Miku to Atletico Nacional

There were link ups of Bengaluru FC forward Miku joining Atletico Nacional. The Colombian club had also shown interest in the 33-year-old striker.

Last season's second highest goal-scorer, Miku is an integral part of Bengaluru FC. The Caracas-born player also posted on Instagram recently and a part of the caption read:

"The Best is yet to come. I once lived the best of European football. It's time to live the best of South American football."

However, Bengaluru FC fans can breathe easy as Miku is going to continue playing for The Blues. Carles Cuadrat and his troops are currently placed at pole position on the ISL table with 30 points (nine wins, three draws, and a loss) from their 13 matches.

They faced their first defeat of the season against Mumbai City FC on 27th January and narrowly won against NorthEast United FC on January 30.

Miku is expected to return to the team when they face the Marina Machans (Chennaiyin FC) on 29th January.

#1 Sandesh Jhingan to ATK and Al-Gharafa SC

Jhingan is a vital cog in the Blasters' line up

Three big Blasters players - CK Vineeth, Halicharan Narzary, and Sandesh Jhingan - were rumored for a move during the transfer window. While Narzary and Vineeth moved out on loan to Chennaiyin, talismanic defender Jhingan has stayed with the Kerala-based franchise.

The 25-year-old is an integral part of the Yellow Army. It was rumored that ATK were interested in roping in the Chandigarh-born player.

Even Al-Gharafa SC - a Qatari club - had enquired about the star Indian defender. The fact that only four non-Qatari can play in the Qatar Stars League could have meant that Jhinghan got lesser playing time there.

Silencing all rumors, Jhingan remains the first choice centre-back for Kerala Blasters - and will be with them at least until the end of the ongoing season.

The Men in Yellow are currently reeling at the 9th position in the ISL table and have won just one match from their 14 matches.