It seemed like a done deal: Kaizer Chiefs were on the brink of signing Stellenbosch defender Fawaaz Basadien.
However, recent developments have added a twist to the story.
The R10 Million Offer Rejected
Last month, Chiefs put forward a R10 million offer for Basadien, but it was firmly turned down by Stellenbosch.
This week, Kaizer Chiefs’ Sporting Director, Kaizer Motaung Jr, confirmed that the team had indeed shown interest in the Bafana Bafana left-back.
The Stability Issue at Stellenbosch
According to Motaung Jr, Stellenbosch is not in a hurry to part with more players, especially after recent losses including Deano van Rooyen and Iqraam Rayners.
Motaung Jr highlighted comments from Stellenbosch CEO Rob Benadie, who noted that the transfer window can be quite disruptive.
“He’s just waiting for the window to close because it’s so destabilising,” Motaung Jr said, as reported by iDiski Times.
“From Stellies’ perspective, they’ve done a great job in recruitment, and their players are getting a lot of attention.”
High Praise for Basadien
Motaung Jr praised Basadien, noting that his talents are well-recognized both locally and internationally.
“I don’t think there’s a team in the country that wouldn’t want Basadien,” he said.
“He has a standout profile.”
Negotiation Challenges
Despite the interest, Motaung Jr acknowledged that negotiating with Stellies has its challenges.
“We’ve had discussions with Rob and made an offer before.
Rob was clear about the price he had on Fawaaz.
When we approached him again, he reiterated that they need to maintain stability after losing key players.”
Looking Ahead
As the transfer saga continues, Kaizer Chiefs have turned their attention to their Betway Premiership opener against Marumo Gallants.
The quest for strengthening their squad is far from over, and fans will be eager to see how the situation with Basadien evolves.
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