Kolkata, May 7 (IANS): Chennai City FC (CCFC) President Rohit Ramesh on Thursday said the former I-League champions are negotiating with Japanese playmaker Katsumi Yusa and are hopeful of reaching an amicable solution soon regarding payment of his dues.

Katsumi has threatened to move FIFA if the ‘club doesn't agree to pay off his dues', as per sources in the know. CCFC have terminated the foreigners' contracts as a Force Majeure clause in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Katsumi, who returned to his country after CCFC's last I-League match against Neroca FC on March 14, has demanded his salary till April. The 31-year old also wants the Chennai-based outfit to bear the cost of his airfare.

"We are speaking with the player. Airfare club will bear. No problems on that. It's just about the April salary which he is wanting. We are negotiating with the player and we are hopeful of reaching an amicable solution. So far we have agreed to pay his salary till March. Let's see," Ramesh told IANS.

Football Players Association of India (FPAI), the link between the club and Katsumi, said while it is hopeful there will be an amicable solution, things could get tough for CCFC if the player moves FIFA as he has a contract till June.

"We are hopeful that the club and the player will come to an amicable solution. Katsumi has a contract till June so if he goes to FIFA, he can claim his salary till June," FPAI general manager Cyrus Confectioner told IANS.

It was not too long ago that FIFA's Dispute Resolution Chamber had ruled a case in Katsumi's favour over his contract dispute with city football giants East Bengal.

The Kolkata giants had to shell out Rs 17 lakh to pay off the Japanese midfielder's dues.