Ethiopian premier league side Ethiopia Bunna and their former player Gatoch Panom have failed to reach an agreement following negotiations earlier in the morning. The midfielder, who parted ways with Russian outfit Anzhi Makhachkala in mid-December, has been in contract negotiations since last week.
Gatoch has oftentimes stated if he is about to join an Ethiopian side Ethiopia Bunna would be his first and top choice but now he might make his move elsewhere. An Ethiopia Bunna delegation led by board president Meto Aleqa Fekade Mamo and some members of the Bunna Fans Association sat down with Gatoch on a possible move back to the club. Both parties failed to reach agreement as the monthly salary the player inquired and the sum that the club proposed differs. Reports suggest Gatoch asked 250,00 Birr after tax as salary whilst Bunna proposed 130,000 birr (tax included) for a year and 150,000 birr (tax included) for a two years contract. The club citied that it’s beyond the club’s potential to pay the record sum likewise it would create problem in the squad and promotes unhealthy players transfer market in Ethiopia as their main reason for not accepting the offer.
Gatoch’s agent and former teammate David Beshah told Soccer Ethiopia that the deal is now off. “Yes, we couldn’t agree with Bunna,” he noted. David continues to add that they are contemplating on offers from abroad. “Other Ethiopian clubs can send out their offers. (We have) Egypt is an option. I don’t expect him to stay in Ethiopia but of course other Ethiopian clubs can bid for his service but our first choice for him will be playing abroad.” he concluded.
Other Ethiopian clubs like CAF Confederations Cup bound Wolaitta Dicha and premier league newbies Mekele Ketema expressed their interest on the Ethiopian international. Now that unnamed Egyptian club is on horizon, it is becoming unlikely to speculate where Gatoch head next.
