Interested teams will have to give their say on participating by May 7, informed BFF general secretary Anwarul Hoque Helal yesterday after a meeting with three Chittagong clubs.

The original deadline for entry expired last month and the transfer was scheduled to start within a week of the end of the AFC Challenge Cup, which concluded in Dhaka on April 16.

But the federation had already extended the time after not getting proper response from the clubs.

"In the last month we could not do anything because of the AFC Challenge Cup. Now we have resumed the talks," said Helal adding that Chittagong Abahani and Mohammedan look like the teams to enter the competition from the port city.

A number of clubs showed their interest to participate from Dhaka but it is doubtful how many of them would be able to meet the criteria set by the BFF.

"Chittagong City Corporation want to play but they are waiting for the City Mayor's final approval. A big corporate house from Chittagong, Kwality, are also interested and we have welcomed them," said the BFF general secretary.

From the capital, big guns Mohammedan, Abahani, Brothers Union and Muktijoddha Sangsad are the only sides seemingly prepared to fulfil the requirements of going professional. Khulna Abahani are also another prospect.

"Still, there are a lot of talks to go and we will know by May 7 who are ready. We will finalise the lineup by May 15 and declare the transfer date," Helal added.

The professional league is scheduled to kick off in September.