The Siya crew spoke to a top agent in SA to get their expert understanding on what’s going on. For obvious reasons, the agent will remain anonymous.

“Football has drastically changed globally, and in Europe in particular. New competitions have been introduced and players are earning decent salaries and in Africa we (have) got to also start moving with the times.

“If the African Super League is properly structured, properly sponsored, then clubs would be able to keep their best players and pay them well. And when these players need to move, then whoever wants the player will be forced to pay for what the player is worth.

“Recently, a Ghanaian player was sold by his club to a German team for a shocking $10 000 (±R169 000) price, which I considered exploitative, but because the club was desperate, they were willing to accept any crumbs thrownatthem.

“Tragically, the same player would, in most likelihood, be sold by the German club for more than $30 million (±R507 million) within the next two years!

“These are serious challenges facing African football, but with more revenue coming into clubs and federations, perhaps club owners would be able to pay their players decent salaries and keep them here and only the best of the best might be lured to Europe but sold at the right price.”