VietNamNet Bridge – The contract between Vietnam’s top striker Le Cong Vinh and the Japanese FC - Consadole Sapporo is expiring. The Japanese club is willing to pay VND5 billion ($250,000) to keep Cong Vinh.

Cong Vinh in Consadole Sapporo jersey.

At the 40th round of J.League 2, Cong Vinh scored the only goal for Consadole Sapporo, which helped the FC win in the game against Vissel Kobe. This goal of the Vietnamese striker makes Sapporo FC leaders are more determined to retain him at all costs.

Also, a lot of fans have asked the team to keep the Vietnamese striker, when the contract is coming due.

Speaking to the Japanese press, Sapporo President Yoshikazu Nonomura said that Sapporo had worked with Cong Vinh on a new contract, but both parties had not made decision at this moment.

However, Yoshikazu Nonomura confirmed to keep Cong Vinh at all costs, even paying big compensation for Vinh’s 1-year contract with Song Lam Nghe An FC.

It is known that if Consadole Sapporo wants to get Cong Vinh’s signature in the new contract, it will have to pay Song Lam Nghe An at least VND5 billion to buy back Vinh’s 1-year contract with this club. This is a huge amount that the Japanese team must consider very carefully, but finally the Japanese team has decided to open its pocket to get the Vietnamese striker.

Sapporo leaders called Coach Huu Thang of Song Lam Nghe An but Thang has yet to make any decision. Earlier, Director General of Song Lam Nghe An Football JSC – Mr. Nguyen Hong Thanh said: "Cong Vinh is still in a 1-year contract with Song Lam Nghe An. We still hold the view that not allowing Vinh to play in Japan because the team needs him in the next season, after many key players left."

For his part, Cong Vinh said he would think about his future, but he cannot make a decision because of his contract with Song Lam Nghe An. "I told the Consadole Sapporo club's leaders that I'm still a player of Song Lam Nghe An, my contract with the team is one year. So Consadole Sapporo leaders have to work with Song Lam Nghe An," Vinh said.

It is possible that in the coming time, Consadole Sapporo’s officials will go to Vietnam to negotiate a contract with the Song Lam Nghe An. VND5 billion compensation for a one-year contract is not a small amount and Song Lam Nghe An will have to consider it in the current context.

Nguyen Nam