Teen Akhyar’s transfer saga still unresolved

PETALING JAYA: Teenage sensation Muhammad Akhyar Rashid’s (pic) transfer saga seems to get murkier by the day.

The national forward, who is now a free agent, is negotiating with Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) but his former team Kedah have claimed that he is not a free agent and interested parties should talk to them instead of the player.

However, JDT technical director Alistair Edwards expressed his surprise by saying that the northern state is trying to manipulate fans by spreading inaccurate information following the Southern Tigers announcement that they are in negotiations with the Malaysian international.

“We would like to stress that there is no need to contact Kedah FA as Akhyar is a free agent following his contract termination with Kedah,” said Edwards on JDT social media page.

“The compensation due to Kedah, should JDT sign Akhyar, has been predetermined by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) following a recent decision that is in accordance to football regulations.

“JDT will honour the decision and make the necessary payment should we reach an agreement with Akhyar,” he added.

On Dec 6, the FAM status committee said in a statement that the 19-year-old Akhyar is allowed to buy out his contract with Kedah by paying RM210,000.

Teams that want to seal a deal with him will have to pay to Kedah a compensation worth RM75,000, but Kedah lamented that the compensation of RM75,000 was a paltry sum and urged FAM to relook at the case.

Kedah FA secretary-general Mohd Asmirul Anuar Aris said they would look at the matter stage by stage and will start by appealing to the FAM Appeals Committee.

Last month, reports claimed that Akhyar was looking to terminate his contract with Kedah and has brought the case to FAM after failing to agree on terms with the northern side.