Paez opts against Amakhosi stay

It looks like Gustavo Paez’s future lies away from Kaizer Chiefs as things stand, with the attacker thought to have opted against extending his deal at Naturena.

Paez was back on the bench two weeks ago as Amakhosi went up against Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby as he made his first appearance in an Absa Premiership matchday squad since October – however, he remained unused as they went on to draw 1-1.

He was, however, left out of the squad for Chiefs’ Nedbank Cup win over The Magic this past weekend.

The 28-year-old appears to have fallen down the pecking order this season after playing 23 league games for the club in 2017/18 and, to date, has made just three starts over the course of the campaign.

Paez, who takes up a foreign spot with Amakhosi, was linked with an exit from Soweto back in January – however, the Siya crew reported that – after talks with management – the decision had been made that he would stay until at least the end of the season.

Now, as he considers his future, the crew has been informed that the Venezuelan forward has turned down the chance to sign a new contract at Chiefs, instead deciding that he would rather go in search of more regular game-time elsewhere.

Paez has seven league goals in 45 games for the Glamour Boys since his arrival at the club in 2017, and he will be hoping to add to that tally elsewhere if he does eventually move on when his current deal expires at the end of June.

The crew did contact Chiefs for comment on Paez’s future at the club, however received no response by the time of going to print.