Panaji: Till last week, they were on the football fields of Russia playing against Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar for the coveted World Cup. Today, CVs and videos of these international players from Uruguay , Costa Rica, Iran , Panama and Iceland are being offered to Indian football clubs for them to become a part of Indian Super League and I-League.

“We are close to signing Johnny Acosta from Costa Rica. Talks with his Colombian agent have progressed well and we are confident that the club will have a marquee player,” said a senior East Bengal official.

In the times of ISL and its riches, East Bengal would have been the unlikeliest team to make a big-name signing. But boosted by a recent partnership with Quess Corp, East Bengal have secured the funds to launch their best campaign to win the elusive I-League. Not surprisingly, according to sources, at $ 200,000 (approx. Rs 1.36 crore), East Bengal are paying Acosta significantly more than what he is earning at his current club, Rionegro Aguilas, in Colombia.

A sweeper in the three-man central defence used by coach Oscar Ramirez, Acosta, one of the senior most members of the Costa Rica squad, played all three group games at the World Cup.

Acosta is not the only one ready to shift to India. Luis Suarez ’s teammate and Uruguay midfielder Cristian Rodriguez is the hottest name doing the rounds. With over 100 caps to his name and a 2011 Copa America winners medal, Rodriguez is willing to pack his bags if someone can offer him an annual pay packet of around Rs 13 crore ($2 million) and make him the best-paid footballer in the subcontinent.

Then there is the Iranian captain Masoud Shojaei. FC Goa are in the market for Manuel Lanzarote’s replacement and have shortlisted him as the man who can make fans forget the Spanish talisman who scored 13 goals and struck a delightful partnership with ISL Golden Boot winner Ferran Corominas.

Shojaei, who has played at three successive World Cups and captained the team against Morocco, played under FC Goa coach Sergio Lobera at Las Palmas in 2014.

“Shojaei has offers from two other big clubs. He is considering our offer and knows what to expect in India since (coach) Sergio knows him from his time in Spain. We’ve got options. This time around, there are players willing to play in India who have played at the highest level,” said a club official.

Another player who is offered to Indian clubs is Gabriel Gomez. The Panama midfielder who grabbed attention with a defensively disciplined performance during the three group games against Tunisia, England and Belgium, two of whom made it to the semifinals, is looking at a three-year contract and the chance to end his career in India.

At 34, Gomez is Panama’s all-time record cap holder, appearing in 148 internationals and representing the nation in seven Gold Cup tournaments.

Elsewhere, FC Pune City have looked at the CV of Iceland defender Kari Arnason with more than just passing interest. Playing alongside Ragnar Sigurdsson, the two centrebacks form the heart of Iceland’s defence and famously frustrated Lionel Messi during the team’s clash against Argentina which ended 1-1.

