NEWS: ‘Kaizer Chiefs’ offer wasn’t close to what we asked for’ – Cape Town Spurs boss Ari Efstathiou on Asanele Velebayi’s proposed move to Amakhosi

His proposed move to the Glamour Boys has courted controversy, with the player’s parents said to be involved in brokering the deal and getting the star released to Chiefs as the concerned clubs aren’t finding each other.

Speaking to Metro FM’s Sports Night Live With Andile Ncube, Spurs’ CEO Efstathiou confirmed negotiations between the clubs.

Efstathiou said Amakhosi have failed to meet their demands to acquire the player’s services.

“Yes (Chiefs made an approach to buy Velebayi),” Efstathiou said,

“We priced him fairly. They asked us what are we looking for and we told them and like any other party do, they came back with ( a counteroffer) and you either agreed or disagreed. That’s where we are.

“Since we declined the offer we have heard nothing back, so I can’t say it’s ongoing, no.

“They know what we asked for. I would say the (offer) wasn’t close to what we were asking,” he said.

Efstathiou also blames the use of underhand tactics in getting the player to move away from the club.

READ: Saudi Pro League targets Brazil & Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr with whopping €1 billion offer

“I don’t want to accuse anyone, but sometimes when people are talking from club to club, I think it’s cordial to keep your conversations confidential,” Efstathiou said.

“It would be a professional thing to do, not divulge some of that information.

“Somehow that information tends to leak out. I don’t know where it leaks out, maybe end-to-end there’s a hole in the system and information drips out, I’m not sure.”

The Urban Warriors chief stated that Velebayi was miles ahead of many of his age mates and other senior players, having played 99 professional games for the club.

Efstathiou feels that the player joined the club at the tender age of 10 and got polished to become the precious gem he is today, it’s only fair for them to be rewarded for a job well done.

“We have been in the game for long and know when we have a diamond. And Asanele is a diamond. Diamonds don’t get sold for cheap, unfortunately,” Efstathiou said.

“If you don’t like the diamond then don’t buy. No one is forcing you to buy anything, you have to look for other diamonds elsewhere.

“To end off, we also know and understand our business model. We understand what it takes to develop a player from a financial point of view, it’s not a cheap business.

“Those who haven’t done it should rather stay out of it because they don’t know what they are talking about. We know from the last drop of water we used to water our fields how much it cost and one needs to take all the costs into account.”

According to Efstathiou, Velebayi is keen to join Amakhosi.