SRK vs Sourav: KKR owner likely to tie-up with East Bengal for launching a team in ISL

Soon we may see Kolkata Knight Riders' owner Shah Rukh Khan gracing the stands in an Indian Super League (ISL) match as the Bollywood star is in talks to buy a Kolkata-based franchise.

"There are stories that get reported even before things happen. But if it's getting talked about, it definitely means that there's some truth to it. So yes, we have been discussing about it but we haven't finalised anything as of now," Shah Rukh said on Thursday.

AIFF has plans of extending the number of teams in ISL to 10 when it becomes a top-tier league in 2017 and Shah Rukh is believed to partner Kolkatan giants, East Bengal to make a foray in the Indian football scenario.

Three existing I-League teams - East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC are most likely to move up the ranks in 2017 but only two teams will be given the opportunity to field outfits of their own. The defending I-League champions are tipped to win the race for the Bengaluru franchise, leaving East Bengal and Mohun Bagan in the fray for potential tie-ups that will help them make the grade.

Former ISL winners Atletico de Kolkata will be joined by second team from the City of joy. It is believed that Mohun Bagan will tie up with the Sourav Ganguly co-owned franchise while Shah Rukh and East Bengal will come together for unveiling another franchise to complete the 10-team line-up.