CSKA Sofia defender Lumbard Dellova will make a decision regarding his future after the international break at the end of the month. The 27-year-old defender and his native Kosovo remain in contention to qualify for the World Cup this summer.
On March 26, the German-led national team, coached by Franco Foda, will travel to Slovakia for the first playoff match. A victory there would see them face the winner of the Turkey-Romania tie in a direct showdown for a place at the World Cup. Kosovo earned a spot in the playoffs after finishing second in their qualifying group, which included group leader Switzerland, Slovenia, and Sweden.
Dellova’s contract with CSKA Sofia currently runs through next summer, but it includes a release clause of just €950,000, which the club has been attempting to remove through a novel contract. The two parties have held several rounds of talks in recent months, with Dellova indicating he will wait until after the World Cup playoff matches before giving a final answer.
A potential appearance at the World Cup in the United States would undoubtedly increase interest in the defender, and he is not rushing to commit to CSKA Sofia. However, if Kosovo fails to qualify, Dellova is almost certain to accept the improved contract offer from the club, according to Tema Sport. Dellova has been on the radar of clubs from Saudi Arabia and Turkey since last summer, and recent reports suggest teams from Italy’s Serie B are also closely monitoring his situation.
The situation is also fluid with another CSKA Sofia regular, James Eto’o. His contract is also unique, and negotiations are ongoing regarding the Cameroonian’s stay with the club beyond the current season.
