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If Sriwijaya re-signs Claude Parfait Ngon A Djam, right, it will need to cough up Rp 1.2 billion again. (Antara Photo)

Sriwijaya Seeks to Retain Cameroonian

Even though his club’s season fell below expectations, Sriwijaya FC striker Claude Ngon a Djam’s scoring exploits have made him a wanted man.

The 29-year-old played a central role in his club’s domestic season and AFC Champions League run. He scored a brace against FC Seoul on March 10 and finished fourth in the Indonesian Super League with 22 goals.

Sriwijaya manager Hendri Zainuddin said the club would do everything in its power to keep the Cameroonian and plans to offer a one-year extension.

“We have yet to send him an official offer, but we’ve talked with him and he’s given us positive signs to stay at Sriwijaya FC,” Hendri said on Tuesday. “Club policy has it that he can only be paid Rp 1.2 billion maximum. He was paid Rp 1.2 billion last season, and that’s the best we can offer to him right now.”

Ngon A Djam’s contract expires on June 30. His agent, Francis Younga, said the striker has piqued interest in Indonesia and elsewhere.

“Until now, two Super League clubs and one each from China, Japan and France had contacted me to ask whether they could negotiate with Ngon,” Younga said.

Younga identified the Super League clubs as Persib Bandung and newly promoted Persisam Samarinda. The foreign clubs, he said, are Shandong Luneng of China, Japan’s Urawa Reds and French Ligue 1 side Grenoble.

“Sriwijaya is still his priority unless one of the other clubs will give at least five times more than what Sriwijaya will offer,” Younga said.

Sriwijaya fell short of matching its unprecedented league and cup double from 2007, finishing 26 points behind Persipura Jayapura in fifth this season. Its Copa Indonesia title defense continues on Saturday when it faces Persijap Jepara in the first leg of the semifinals.

Elsewhere in the league, PSM Makassar midfielder Irsyad Aras has reportedly reached a deal to play for Pelita Jaya next season.

The 30-year-old said he also received offers from other clubs, but chose Pelita in order to be closer to his brother Ardan Aras, who is also at the club.

Antara, JG

The Week in Photos

A protester gestures during a demonstration against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad around Haft-e Tir square in Tehran, Iran, on Wednesday during a fifth day of protests against moderate Mirhossein Mousavi's election defeat. (Reuters Photo)