Fee threat to Indians’ Ibrox move

RANGERS’ move for Indian stars Sunil Chhetri, pictured, and Jeje Lalpekhlua could be thwarted by their clubs’ transfer fee demands.

The two players will arrive this week in Glasgow for trials with the Ibrox side.

However, both of the players’ clubs were puzzled that the trial was given the go-ahead and both will demand a transfer fee, which could severely jeopardise any move, given Rangers’ dire financial situation.

Lalpekhlua’s club manager at Pune FC, Derrick Pereira, said: “This is news to me because I haven’t been told anything by anyone. If it is true, it has come at an inopportune moment as the I-League season is in full flow and we will find it hard to release Jeje without a fee. He is a vital player for us.”

And Subrata Bhattacharya, technical director at Chhetri’s club Mohun Bagan FC, said: “I am not aware of this development.”

But both players say they are desperate to go to Glasgow and earn the chance to win a contract, with Lalpekhlua even insisting his club are in favour of the deal, despite his manager’s claims.

Lalpekhlua said: “The club is supportive, I’m sure that if I get a chance to play for Rangers, Pune will let me go. I think the good start to my international career helped attract interest from Rangers.”

And Chhetri said: “This is an excellent opportunity for us.”