Big pay packets could hamper January sales
RUZAIGH Gamildien, Richard Henyekane and Katlego Mphela and are among the list of Premier Soccer League players up for grabs and looking for new homes when the transfer window opens next month.
But the packages they are on at their clubs could complicate potential deals.
This week, Bloemfontein Celtic confirmed that star midfielder Gamildien, who caught the eye of Bafana coach Gordon Igesund last season, had been transfer-listed. His contract with the club expires in 2015 and Celtic had initially included an option to renew the agreement.
“He simply wasn’t in coach Ernst Middendorp’s plans for the season. We are yet to receive any offers for him because we have only just recently indicated that we would be selling him,” said Phunya
Andile Jali could have been a big transfer fish, but the player is committed to staying at Champions League finalists Orlando Pirates
Sele Sele’s CEO, Khumbulani Konco.
It comes as a shock that one of the club’s most outstanding players over the past two seasons has been left in the cold, especially following the departure of Clinton Larsen to Maritzburg United. Larsen helped Gamildien break into topflight football after being overlooked at Santos.
“I am surprised they want to sell him given what he can do. But coaches have their way of doing things. I will not rule out the possibility of getting him here, but I know we will face stiff competition from other clubs,” Larsen said.
At Sundowns, Mphela’s contract dance with the Brazilians has been well documented. Pitso Mosimane, the coach at Downs, has claimed the striker’s manager, Glynn Binkin, is forcing the Chloorkop outfit to extend Mphela’s stay without having to earn it.
Mphela will be free to negotiate a pre-contract with a club of his choice in January if Sundowns do not begin talks with the forward this month.
Another one of Binkin’s clients is goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands, who has been warming the bench since the arrival at Downs of Kennedy Mweene from Free State Stars. Sandilands is tied to the club for four more years.
“Expect about 10 players from Sundowns to go on loan,” said an agent who did not want to be named.
“Sandilands is unhappy, Thami Sangweni is unhappy, but their high packages could hold back some of these January deals.”
AmaTuks coach Steve Barker is also sniffing around at Chloorkop for a few players to help his struggling side, who were second from bottom in the Premier League before yesterday’s clash against AmaZulu.
“When I said Sundowns should help their neighbours out, much of that statement was said in jest, but we’ve made some progress in trying to get them to loan us some good players,” said Barker, adding that he was looking at luring Raymond Monama and Henyekane from the Brazilians. Monama joined Downs in August from relegated Black Leopards, but is yet to make his debut for the club.
“Maybe we can negotiate who takes over their package while they are here, us or Sundowns,” Barker said.
Meanwhile, Andile Jali could have been the big fish in January, but the player is committed to staying at Orlando Pirates, the 2013 Caf Champions League finalists.
“I think for the player to be willing to sit down with us and discuss a new contract at this stage means he is determined to stay,” said Pirates administrator Floyd Mbele.
“Looking at our log position, we realise we might also need to strengthen our ranks, given the number of games in hand, and the potential injuries. But the technical team will submit a mid-season report and based on that, we will know which positions to strengthen and which names to short-list.”