Liston to Odisha and many more - Indian Super League's top 5 failed deals

This season's Indian football transfer window was intense, with several well-known Indian players changing clubs and some big foreigners joining Indian Super League clubs. During this transfer window, Mohun Bagan Super Giants were very upbeat. The most valuable player to join the Indian Super League this year is their acquisition of Australian striker Jason Cummings, who has a market value of 9.6 crore INR.

This summer's transfer season saw a number of significant signings, but there were also deals that didn't materialize, forcing the teams involved to split ways. This article analyses five failed transfers that occurred in the Indian Super League during the summer transfer window.

Akash Mishra to Mohun Bagan Super Giant

Mohun Bagan Super Giants had targeted left-back Akash Mishra before even the 2022–2023 season had ended and had already initiated talks with the left-back. The club had also agreed personal terms with the left-back and was negotiating with Hyderabad FC for a transfer fee. But, soon after their top target from the last couple of seasons, Anirudh Thapa, became available, they left the race for Mishra and signed Thapa instead. Akash Mishra, meanwhile, joined Mumbai City FC.

Liston Colaco to Odisha FC

There were big rumours that Mohun Bagan's Liston Colaco would be moving to Odisha FC after the forward's dismal performance for the Kolkata club. However, Mohun Bagan asked for a big transfer fee, which Odisha FC never came close to matching, and eventually Mohun Bagan also decided to keep Colaco and give him another season to prove his worth.

Bidyashagar Singh to Punjab FC

Kerala Blasters' Indian striker Bidyashagar Singh won the Golden Glove during the I-League 2020–2021 season while playing for TRAU FC in the I-League. After that season, he signed for Bengaluru FC, but due to injury, the player never got game time with Bengaluru, who eventually sent him on loan to Kerala Blasters for the 2022–2023 season, and the club signed him permanently earlier this summer.

Punjab FC, who got promoted to the ISL from the I-League, wanted to sign the Indian striker and had agreed personal terms with the player. However, the club failed to agree a fee with Kerala before the transfer window closed, so he will be playing with the Blasters this season.

Edu Garcia to Odisha FC

Since Odisha FC, the Hero Super Cup 2023 winner, announced the appointment of Sergio Lobera as head coach, the club has been rumoured to have signed Spanish midfielder Edu Garcia. However, that deal never happened, as Odisha FC signed other players and were eventually left with no slot for the Spaniard in the club. Garcia was part of the SC Jiuniu in China squad that was managed by Lobera.

David Timor to FC Goa

Spanish defensive midfielder David Timor was long rumoured to be joining Indian Super League club FC Goa as a replacement for outgoing Edu Bedia. Timor's contract with SD Huesca was set to expire with the club, and he was thought to be in touch with Goa, but, after his contract ended with Huesca, the player then signed for LaLiga2 club Eldense, whereas FC Goa signed Australian Paulo Retre in that same position. The club also later signed Carl McHugh for the same position at Mohun Bagan Super Giants.