Zungu may leave Bafana stars in the shade
Bongani Zungu’s potential à7million (R108-million) switch from French Ligue 1 side Amiens to Olympiakos in Greece would be the most expensive transfer involving a Bafana Bafana international in history.
Zungu is being chased by his former coach at Portuguese side Vitoria Guimaraes‚ Pedro Martins‚ who wants to be reunited with the midfielder after taking over at the Greek club.
We look at the most expensive transfers involving South African players between European clubs.
SHAUN BARTLETT
Transfer: FC Zurich to Charlton Athletic
Value: à2.25-million
Former Bafana Bafana striker Bartlett made the switch from Swiss side FC Zurich to Charlton Athletic in 2001 having already spent a season on loan in London.
MARK FISH
Lazio to (R35million)
Transfer: Wanderers
Value: à3.03-million
Fish had joined Italian Serie A side Lazio from Orlando Pirates in 1997‚ but found the going tough and within a year was on the move to England and joined top-flight side Bolton . Bolton (R47million) Former SA legends proved expensive buys during their careers
TOKELO RANTIE
Transfer: Bournemouth
Value: à4.05-million
At the time that English side Bournemouth signed Rantie from Malmo in Sweden he was their record purchase‚ such was the high regard they held him in.
But this move proved less successful with Rantie unable to hold down a first team place and not settling on the English south coast. Malmo
STEVEN PIENAAR
to (R63million)
Transfer: Tottenham Hotspur to Everton
Value: à5.75-million (R90million)
Three of Pienaar’s transfers in his career would actually make the top five on our list‚ but his most expensive was the à5.75million that Everton paid Tottenham Hotpsur to bring him back to Goodison Park in 2012.
BENNI MCCARTHY
Transfer: Ajax Amsterdam to Celta Vigo
Value: à6.00-million
South Africa’s record goalscorer McCarthy would make a number of moves in his career‚ but it was his first in Europe that was the most lucrative when he left Ajax Amsterdam in Netherlands for Celta Vigo in Spain. — (R93million)