Argentina's third-tier professional league, Torneo Federal A, will kick off on March 12 and one of its clubs, Sol de Mayo have been reportedly trying to sign Bangladesh footballers in the last couple of months.
Premier League champions Bashundhara Kings' national defender Tapu Barman said he received an offer letter from Sol de Mayo but his club denied releasing him as he is under contract.
“They [Sol de Mayo] tried a lot to recruit me. I personally talked to my club official. But the Bashundhara management decided not to release me,” Tapu told Dhaka Tribune.
It was understood that Sol de Mayo didn't make any direct or official contact with Tapu but the agent made the negotiation.
“I told all my agents that I can't move to a new club as I have a deal until November. After that, I'll be available,” he added.
Kings defender Mahmud Hasan Kiron also got offer from the same club through unofficial representative.
“They [Tapu and Kiron] are under contract. If Sol de Mayo contacted us officially, the club would have considered the possibility. But they didn't communicate with us. We only learned it from the players,” said Bashundhara Kings media manager Ahmed Shaaek.
“The club is in the middle of the season. There are league fixtures, Federation Cup fixtures, a possibility of Super Cup and last but not least AFC competition fixtures where we have our participation in Asian Champions League for the first time as a Bangladeshi club. That is why the club didn't want to release them because they are important players and we need our important players to compete against our opponents,” he added.
After the Kings duo turned down their respective agents, report has it that Bangladesh captain and Sheikh Russel KC midfielder Jamal Bhuiyan agreed terms with Sol de Mayo, according to various verified twitter accounts.
Sheikh Russel's director for sports, Saleh Jaman Selim admitted to Dhaka Tribune that Jamal officially asked the club for the release letter but they have not taken the final decision yet.
“My personal opinion is that Jamal is not only the club's player but also national team captain. If he plays abroad, it's good for the country. We will sit in a meeting soon to discuss the issue. I want to give it [release letter] as soon as possible so that he [Jamal] can take preparation mentally,” said Selim.
Jamal, the top-paid local player at Sheikh Russel, is under contract until the end of the season.
If he moves to Argentina, it will be the first time a Bangladeshi footballer would play in the professional league of a South American nation.
