Calcutta, May 16 :    Calcutta, May 16:  The Calcutta giants for the first time are facing a threat from the outstation clubs and an avalanche of players who had played in Calcutta last season, seems keen on leaving the Mecca of Football. The worst hit have been none other than National League champions Mohun Bagan, losing their captain Debjit Ghosh to the constant poaching of Mahindra United recruiters. Lack of funds has, in fact, forced the city clubs to look for alternatives. Consequently, Mohun Bagan recruiters' strategy to save the lion's share of McDowell's money for Brazilian star Jose Ramirez Barreto and Bhaichung Bhutia has only led to an anger among the local players. While Mohun Bagan are trying to rope in sources of money other than McDowell, East Bengal have already confirmed Ilam Pearl, the mineral water company as their co-sponsors and the decision will be made public very soon. Trailing way behind the race following a conflict of interests among club officials, Mohun Bagan have set out to find a sponsor, exclusively meant for Barreto, whose return to the club looks shrouded in doubts. However, Mohun Bagan seem unfazed in the face of imminent loss of players like Rennedy Singh and R. C. Prakash to ITI. 'We have confirmed players like Ashim Biswas and Sandip Das, and they will be suitable replacements,' said an official. Another senior official said presence of Barreto and Bhaichung may act as a balance of power in the team. East Bengal, who Bhaichung has reportedly put faith on after his stint with the Bury FC, however, do not seem too interested to stretch things around the star player to extremes. 'If Bagan increase Bhaichung's rate too much, we will back off,' said an East Bengal official today. East Bengal have already released I.M. Vijayan and Jo Paul Ancheri is unlikely to come back. However, they have already confirmed the services of ITI's star striker, Mike Okoro. The red and gold brigade also signed in promising players like Venkatesh and Kulothungan from ITI, Tulunga from Tata Academy and Alvito De'Cunha from Salgaocar. The defence looks strong with the inclusion of Subhashish Roy Chowdhury from Tollygunge Agragami and retention of Dipak Mondol. And the inclusion of Suresh (from Mahindra) and Raju Singh (Air India) will add more strength to their backline. However, both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan have been extremely cautious about recruiting foreigners, with AIFF making the rule that not more than two foreigners can play in a match in local tournaments. While East Bengal have already released Suleh Musah, Omolaja, and Carlos, Mohun Bagan also are not running after any foreigner other than Barreto. But one team which has come out with a surprise package is Mohammedan Sporting. They have already recruited the likes of Habib Adekunle (Mahindra), Dipendu Biswas (East Bengal), Abdulateef Seriki and Hussain Mustafi (Mohun Bagan). Also with their new coach Habib known to be a hard task-master, things might just turn around for the club. The fourth club in the fray, Tollygunge Agragami, has been badly hurt by the lack of funds. Manaksia, their sponsor last year, has cut down on the budget drastically and the authorities are keen to clinch a new deal. Despite their captain Shasthi Duley's switch of allegiance to East Bengal, Tollygunge's foreign line-up looks quite certain with Akeem, Isiaka and Moses already confirming to play for the club for another season.