Soccer
PSL clubs stifle Bafana stars
2010-07-29 10:57
Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana stars harboring ambitions of securing a move in the current transfer window should shelve their dreams.
Football365.co.za has learnt that Premier Soccer League clubs are placing ridiculous prices on their players despite the current financial market.
Kaizer Chiefs expect nothing less than R30 million each for Siphiwe Tshabalala and Itumeleng Khune, while Orlando Pirates are playing hardball with Teko Modise and Mamelodi Sundowns dodge bids for Siboniso Gaxa and Katlego Mphela.
European clubs are only willing to part with under €2 million given the age and experience of the internationals, coupled with the monetary restraints due to the global crunch.
Birmingham and Wigan have expressed an interest in Tshababala, with the Blues also looking at Mphela. Rangers are keen on the striker as well, while German sides and AEK Athens have been linked with Khune and Modise.
None of the big PSL teams are budging on their valuations, which means 'Shabba', the 'Navigator', 'Killer', 'Pa' and 'Spiderkid' will all more than likely remain in South Africa.
This is a shame for the players as apart from Khune, the rest would be considered "old" in Europe's elite leagues.
Gaxa has already threatened to boycott Sundowns training in the past, while Mphela is embroiled in a fight with his management and Modise has virtually been frozen out of the first team at Pirates.
If they players do indeed stay in South Africa, the clubs may have ruined their final shot at European stardom.