After Michael Essien joined Persib Bandung last week, Indonesia’s Liga 1 is in line to welcome another ex-superstar. Arema FC have confirmed they are approaching former Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan, who is currently playing for Mumbai FC in India.
Arema FC head coach Aji Santoso confirmed this news in an interview recently: “Yes, Forlan is part of this club’s plan. We will try to review the club’s financial situation before making any decision. But the presence of international stars is going to make the league more competitive.”
Persib Bandung reportedly had signed Essien on a €800,000-a-year contract, but 37-year-old Forlan could cost far less than that. The former Manchester United, Villareal and Atletico Madrid striker is valued at only €100,000.
Regarded as one of the greatest Uruguayan players of all time, Forlan is a two-time winner of both the Pichichi Trophy and the European Golden Shoe and also received the Golden Ball as the best player at the 2010 World Cup. A prolific striker in his prime, Forlan scored 268 goals in 684 appearances in his career across Argentina, England, Spain, Italy, and Japan.