Newcastle striker Michael Chopra

Chopra, who is half-Indian, is wanted for the start of the new National Football League in India.

But Mohan Bagan's bids for Chopra and Lyon player Bikash Dhorasoo are dependant on the lifting of a Fifa foreign recruitment ban.

"We are trying to bring Michael Chopra and Bikash Dhorasoo on line before the National Football League," Bagan assistant secretary Balaram Chowdhury said.

He added: "It is not yet final. But negotiations are on."

Bagan's Fifa ban was imposed because of non-payment of fees due to Nigerian Isah Musah last year, but Chowdhury said: "We are expecting the ban to be lifted by 15 October."