Kerala Blasters set to extend contracts of Facundo Pereyra, Jordan Murray

Both players have been vital assets for the Yellow Army so far in the ongoing 2020-21 ISL season.

Indian Super League (ISL) outfit Kerala Blasters are planning to offer contract extensions to both Facundo Pereyra and Jordan Murray, Khel Now can confirm. Both have been among the best performers for the Kochi outfit so far this season, which is why the club have taken the decision to try and extend their stay.

"Kerala Blasters are planning to extend the contracts of both Facundo Pereyra and Jordan Murray," a source close to the developments informed Khel Now. As the former joined the club in the summer of 2020 on a one-year deal with an option to extend, it would be easy for them to come to terms on his extension. Murray, meanwhile, joined on a season-long deal which is now set to be extended by another year or more. Hence, he may continue with the two-time ISL finalists as their Asian player in the 2021-22 season as well. Khel Now also understands that the player would be happy to extend his stay with the club.

Pereyra kick-started his senior football career with the Argentine second division club CA Estudiantes in 2006. He then went on to play for teams like CD Palestino, San Luis, Gimnasia, PAOK, Racing Club, Apollon Limassol and so on. The 32-year-old has also made 29 appearances in the UEFA Europa League and has recorded two goals as well as five assists in the competition.

Primarily an attacking midfielder, he can also play as a winger or a second striker. With Kerala Blasters he has excelled both as a midfielder and as a wide player, clocking 794 minutes in 11 appearances. The Argentine has also registered two assists and created the most chances for the Yellow Army so far this season.

Meanwhile, Jordan Murray joined Kerala Blasters after the club paid an undisclosed fee to Central Coast Mariners. The Australian had a year left on his contract at the A-League outfit when he chose to sign for Kibu Vicuna's team. This campaign, he had to wait till the fourth game to get his first start, but has since impressed the coach and management so much that he is now a guaranteed starter in the side. In 11 matches, the 25-year-old has notched six goals and is tied at third place with Roy Krishna, Aridane Santana, Diego Mauricio and Adam le Fondre in the race for the ISL Golden Boot.

Murray began his career at South Coast Wolves, a club that plays in the Australian second division league. He later played for APIA Leichhardt before moving to the Mariners in the summer of 2018. Apart from Facundo Pereyra and Jordan Murray, Vicente Gomez is also set to remain with Kerala Blasters next season, while the future of Gary Hooper, Costa Nhamoinesu, Bakary Kone and Juande Lopez is unclear for the time being.

Kibu Vicuna and Co. are now at a lowly 10th place on the league standings with two wins, fours draws and five defeats (10 points) from 11 matches. With nine more games remaining for them in the league stage, the team's objective would be to win as many points as possible to climb higher up the table.