Orlando Pirates set to outbid Kaizer Chiefs for Cape Town Spurs diamond, according to Soccer Laduma.
After Chiefs’ unsuccessful attempts to sign Asanele Velebayi from Spurs, Pirates are now reportedly positioning themselves to secure the talented player. Sources close to both clubs indicate that the Buccaneers are willing to meet the R10 million valuation set by Spurs, a move that could see them bolster their squad in the upcoming transfer window.
Pirates are considering offering cash plus player deals in their pursuit of Velebayi. The strategic move could involve exchanging one or more of their fringe players, aiming to sweeten the deal while meeting the R10 million demand from Cape Town Spurs.
“It’s believed that Pirates have worked on a strategy on how they can get Asanele (Velebayi). I am not sure whether they are working on it for this January or for the end of the season but they want to meet the demand of 10 million from Spurs and also add a player or two in exchange for Velebayi. So that’s their strategy right now on how to get the highly-rated player,” a source revealed.
Pirates focus on depth to in CAF and domestic tournaments
Pirates are not just eyeing Velebayi for his talent but also as part of a larger strategy to build a deep, competitive squad. With the added challenge of CAF Champions League football, Pirates aim to have quality players in every position, ensuring strong competition within the squad.
“They want to build a very strong squad with at least two or three players in each position so that the competition is high and that helps the team’s performance as well. They have identified a few players and their new analyst has identified Asanele (Velebayi) as one of them. So they may be willing to sacrifice some of their fringe players in exchange for Velebayi,” another source added.
Radiopane’s deal paved the way for transactions
This is not the first time Orlando Pirates and Cape Town Spurs have done business together. Previously, Pirates loaned striker Boitumelo Radiopane to Spurs, a move that contributed to Spurs’ promotion to the Betway Premiership. This positive working relationship could help facilitate the potential deal for Velebayi.
Chiefs had previously been keen on signing Asanele Velebayi, especially after the arrival of new head coach Nasreddine Nabi. However, the hefty price tag set by Cape Town Spurs proved to be a significant hurdle in negotiations. As a result, Velebayi remained with Spurs. Now, Orlando Pirates seem poised to take advantage of the situation and secure the player, reinforcing their squad for future competitions.
Pirates’ push for Velebayi signals ambitious plans
As Orlando Pirates continue to develop their squad, their strategic interest in Velebayi sends a strong message about their ambitions. A successful acquisition of Velebayi would not only improve their current squad depth but also ensure they are ready to compete on both domestic and continental fronts in the upcoming season.
While it remains unclear where Asanele Velebayi will play next season, the competition between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates for his signature is heating up. As both clubs prepare for the transfer window, fans eagerly await the next chapter in Velebayi’s career.
Stay tuned with The South African as Orlando Pirates set to outbid Kaizer Chiefs for Velebayi.
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