John Arne Riise's move to Kerala not done yet, says boss Peter Taylor

Kerala Blasters manager Peter Taylor would love to sign John Arne Riise but admits a deal for the former Liverpool and Roma full-back is yet to be completed.

Riise, 34, was expected to become Kerala’s marquee player for the second edition of the Indian Super League but reports in India suggest Delhi Dynamos are trying to lure the Norwegian to the capital.

“We’ve shown a strong interest in John,” Taylor told Sky Sports.

“We would love him to come and join us. I don’t think it’s sorted out yet but he’s a player that we like and I think he would be great for the league without a doubt.

“I think the more top marquee players you can get that can still really run around and show what they’ve done in their careers will be great for Indian football.”

We’ve shown a strong interest in John. We would love him to come and join us. I don’t think it’s sorted out yet but he’s a player that we like and I think he would be great for the league without a doubt.

Asked about reports Delhi are trying to scupper a deal for the 2005 Champions League winner, Taylor said: “That’s football and that happens. You don’t always get what you want and that’s where you’ve got to make sure you have your list (of players ready) and you’re prepared.”

One player that Taylor has signed up for the forthcoming season is English striker Chris Dagnall, who finished top scorer for Leyton Orient with 11 goals in League One last season.

“I am delighted with Chris Dagnall,” Taylor said. “He’s a very hard-working forward and I am hopeful and confident that he’ll do well out there.

“I have looked at Chris at a number of places when he was at Rochdale, Barnsley and at Orient. He scored against me last season for Orient when I was manager of Gillingham, so I know a lot about him.

“I know a lot of Orient staff who have all told me he works too hard. If that’s his problem then that’s a nice problem.”

I know a lot of Orient staff who have all told me he works too hard. If that’s his problem then that’s a nice problem.

Kerala’s player-manager last season was David James, while the Cochin-based side also had Motherwell’s Stephen Pearson and former Newcastle and Sunderland striker Michael Chopra in their ranks.

Taylor, who says he is excited to be linking up with Kerala co-owner and Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, expects a similar British undercurrent to the Blasters squad next season.

“There will be some more British players coming over as well,” the former England U21 boss added.

“I suppose all managers in the end go with what they know best, so I probably will be leaning more towards British players rather than the ones I haven’t worked with before.

“If I’ve worked with them in the past it gives me more confidence that they are going to be able to do the things I want them to do.”

Meanwhile, Riise's former Liverpool team-mate Josemi has signed up to once again play for Atletico Kolkata. The 35-year-old was an ever-present as Atletico won the inaugural edition of the ISL last season.