Santos put themselves first

Johannesburg - Santos team manager Yusuf Gester insists the side have not received any offers for their star players, and says they will only do "what is best for the club".

The People's Team will play their football in the National First Division next season after slumping to a 4-3 defeat in their winner-takes-all play-off clash against Chippa United at the weekend.

Santos skipper Tyren Arendse had already voiced his concerns over a player exodus at the Athlone Stadium now that the club no longer retain their PSL status, but Gester admits they will be trying to avoid any such outcome.

"It is still very early to say which direction we will go, emotions are still very high," Gester told The Sowetan.

"If offers do come in for any player then we will look at them and decide what is best for the club."

The Mother City outfit have already seen goalkeeper Tsepo Motsoeneng and defender Warren Bishop leave for newly promoted Premiership outfit University of Pretoria, Bonginkosi Macala claims he has also left Santos, while Pere Ariweriyai is unlikely to extend his loan stay from AmaZulu.