Panaji: The tiki-taka will continue next season.

FC Goa have secured the signings of most of their international players for next season and remain confident that they will net the big fish, star striker Ferran Corominas, too.

Except for the Spanish striker who won two Golden Boots in a row in the Indian Super League ( ISL ) and remain the best-loved footballer in Goa, the club has completed the signings of players who they wanted. Edu Bedia is now into the last year of his contract, Mourtada Fall has signed an extension, Hugo Boumous has agreed a new three-year deal that will keep him at the club till 2022 and, somehow, Goa managed to stop Moroccan midfielder Ahmed Jahouh from grabbing a tempting offer from a rival club.

“Jahouh was a challenge because he had a huge deal from elsewhere but in the end, he chose to stay with us for another year,” said a source.

There were whispers that Jahouh had packed his bags and left for home. His absence from the Super Cup squad only added fuel to the rumours, but club sources said they had already sealed a deal with the Moroccan and he would return for another stint next season.

“Jahouh will be FC Goa player for at least another year. We are glad he opted to stay with us,” said the source.

Goa are expected to also complete negotiations with Spanish defender Carlos Pena within the next 48 hours. A dressing room favourite and someone who could continue at the club even after his playing career is over, Pena was instrumental in Goa’s impressive defensive record which saw the club keep eight clean sheets, a record in the ISL.

The only worry for Goa at the moment is Coro. The Spanish striker has started discussing a contract extension with the club but is unwilling to commit at the moment. The club, though, remains confident that they can convince him to sign on the dotted line for a third successive season.

FC Goa will play Jamshedpur FC in the quarterfinals of the Super Cup on Saturday after Churchill Brothers SC failed to turn up at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. Churchill are showing solidarity with other protesting I-League clubs.

What next?

Ahmed Jahouh: 2019-2020

Edu Bedia: 2019-2020

Hugo Boumous: 2019-2022

Mourtada Fall: 2019-2020

Carlos Pena: Set to sign

Ferran Corominas: In talks

