PREMIERSHIP: Kaizer Chiefs blocked while in pursuit of Asanele Velebayi

Last year, Chiefs were linked with Khanyisa Mayo from Cape Town City, but City’s chairman, John Comitis, made it clear that Mayo wouldn’t leave for anything less than $2 million (R30 million at the time). Mayo’s agent later revealed that the deal was close to completion until Algerian side CR Belouizdad swooped in with a reported R20 million offer.

This time around, Chiefs were locked in tough negotiations with Cape Town Spurs over Velebayi, only for Efstathiou to declare that “the shop has closed,” signalling that no deal would be struck.

The sticking point was Amakhosi’s offer, which Efstathiou said was far below their valuation of the player.

Efstathiou defended the club’s stance, pointing to Velebayi’s experience and potential. “When Chiefs were recently looking at Rushwin [Dortley], we were in the NFD (National First Division), so they believe Rushwin is good enough to be bought for a PSL [top-flight] team,” he explained.

“Asanele has played 99 professional games at the age of 21. Show me another 21-year-old with the experience that he has. We’ve been in the game for long and we know when we have a diamond, and Asanele is a diamond.

“Diamonds don’t get sold for cheap, unfortunately. If you don’t like the diamond, then don’t buy it. No one is forcing you to buy anything.”

With the deal for Velebayi off the table, Chiefs might have to turn their attention elsewhere to bolster their squad, particularly on the wings, following the departures of Khama Billiat and Keagan Dolly.

The club recently signed Angolan defender Inacio Miguel and are expected to make at least one more foreign signing before the transfer window closes. However, their search for a new winger to fill the void left by Billiat and Dolly continues.