Let’s not beat around the bush. These are troubled times for Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs.
They were pipped to the 2019/20 PSL title on the final day of last season, they changed coaches, their start to the new DStv Premiership season under Gavin Hunt hasn’t been spectacular and they lost 5-0 on aggregate to bitter rivals Orlando Pirates in the MTN 8 semi-finals.
Oh, and they also had their appeal against their two-window transfer ban rejected.
NURKOVIC WAS CHIEFS’ TOP SCORER LAST SEASON
Under such circumstances, one wouldn’t expect Amakhosi to be open to parting ways with one of their key strikers, but the money being reportedly offered for Samir Nurkovic may convince them otherwise.
The Serbian striker, who finished as the top goal-scorer for Chiefs in his maiden season, has received interest from both North Africa and the Middle East.
Egyptian giants Al Ahly, who are now coached by former Mamelodi Sundowns mentor Pitso Mosimane, are reported to be keen on his services, while there has also been interest shown by more than one Saudi Arabian club.
Chiefs, who were slapped with a two-window transfer ban by FIFA following the illegal signing of Andriamirado “Dax” Andrianarimanana in 2018, are desperate to hold on to their key players and issued a strongly worded statement that there was no formal offer as yet for Nurkovic, who happens to still be recovering from an injury.
However, indications are that Amakhosi could be open to talks if the interested suitors table an offer in the region of R30 million, according to the Soccer Laduma website.
In appeared Amakhosi were already preparing for life without Nurkovic when they recently made an informal approach to SuperSport United for their striker Bradley Grobler.
However, with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissing Chiefs’ appeal to have the ban overturned, there was no way of pursuing that deal.
TRANSER BAN DOESN’T STOP CHIEFS FROM SELLING PLAYERS
The transfer ban doesn’t stop Chiefs from selling Nurkovic, especially if the offer is a lucrative one that could see them splash out on an adequate replacement – or more than one player – next season.
Expect interest in Nurkovic to remain until the Premier Soccer League transfer window closes on November 30 and the Egyptian one on December 6.
The window in Saudi Arabia, however, has closed and will re-open in January 2021.
