JOHANNESBURG - In the madness of the final few days of the transfer window - anything can happen. Clubs have until Thursday to put the very last touches to their squad for the first half, at least, of the 2017/18 season before they can try beef up again in January.
Here we look at the FIVE big deals that could still be pushed through prior to the August 31 deadline.
Jeremey Brockie
The Kiwi-born striker was left out of SuperSport United’s 1-1 draw at home against Maritzburg United in the first leg of their MTN8 semi-final clash on Saturday, apparently because he was not in the right head space and United confirmed on Sunday the striker had handed in a transfer request, which was rejected. Mamelodi Sundowns, who are SuperSport’s bitter Pretoria rivals, have made it clear they intend to break the bank to lure Brockie to Chloorkop, either in this transfer window or the next. It is believed Brockie, who has a release clause of R15 million, has been offered a salary package resembling telephone digits to make the switch.
Khama Billiat
He is the reason Sundowns are so determined to spend big on Brockie. The 2016 Footballer of the Year has so far rejected a new deal from the Brazilians, including the honour of wearing the No 10 jersey. Billiat, too, could leave without Sundowns getting a single penny for his services if they don’t tie him down to a contract soon. The Zimbabwean is refusing to commit to the club beyond next June, which is when his current terms of employment expire.
He’s also had an offer from an unnamed Saudi Arabian club, but Sundowns have slapped a whopping R37-million price tag on his head. Orlando Pirates might also be interested, seeing as they lost striker Tendai Ndoro to Al-Faisaly (Saudi Arabia) last week.
Rivaldo Coetzee
Ajax Cape Town defender Rivaldo Coetzee. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky, BackpagePix
The young defender suffered a serious set-back at the weekend when his club Ajax Cape Town revealed in a statement late on Saturday night that his move to Glasgow Celtic in Scotland had collapsed. Coetzee failed a medical that was conducted in Johannesburg, forcing Celtic, who said they found an “underlying injury with his right foot”, to pull out of signing the player. Ajax are adamant they were not aware of the said injury. Although his dream to move abroad has been shattered, ‘Riva’ could still be a target for some of the big hitters in the PSL. Pirates and Sundowns are reportedly keen on the 20-year-old from Kakamas.
Asavela Mbekile
A bit part player for the past two seasons at Sundowns, the versatile Mbekile is growing increasingly frustrated at not being a consistent feature for the African champions. One of the signs that he might again endure a tough spell at Chloorkop was when he was allowed to join up with the national team for the CHAN squad for the qualifier against Zambia earlier this month. The Brazilians have already been involved in three games in all domestic competitions and Mbekile has come nowhere near the starting line-up, let alone the bench.
Mzikayise Mashaba
Another exasperated figure at Sundowns. Several reports had linked Mashaba, who can play as a left-back or at left wing, with a move to Pirates as part of the swap deal for Oupa Manyisa joining the Brazilians recently. That might still be on the table, as Mashaba doesn’t seem to be in coach Pitso Mosimane’s plans. It is likely that whoever comes knocking would have to pay big money to get his signature as Sundowns never want to sell for cheap.