After the previous failed attempts by Kaizer Chiefs to secure the signature of Cape Town Spurs player Asanele Velebayi, it seems Orlando Pirates may be looking for a solution to acquire him.
Siya sources close to both Bucs and Spurs have indicated that Pirates are believed to be prepared to meet the reported R10 million valuation of Velebayi.
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The Soweto club could even consider including one or more of their own players in a cash plus player situation. Any future move would be facilitated by a strong working relationship and mutual understanding between the two clubs, which could smooth the negotiation process, according to insiders.
"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 R10 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," the Siya source stated.
A second Siya source stated that Pirates aim to bolster their squad depth by adding quality players for present and future challenges, coping with the new demands of Caf Champions League football.
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"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," the second insider told the Siya crew.
Previously, Pirates had striker Boitumelo Radiopane on loan with Cape Town Spurs, a period during which he contributed to their promotion to the Betway Premiership, although the team has since returned to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
As for Velebayi, he had been on Chiefs' radar since the pre-season, particularly with the arrival of new coach Nasreddine Nabi. However, the price tag proved to be a sticky point in negotiations, leading to him staying at Cape Town Spurs.
As Pirates strategise to secure Velebayi, a potential acquisition underscores their commitment to strengthening their squad for future competitions. With interest from more than one club, it remains to be seen where Velebayi will be playing next season.
Soccer Laduma contacted Pirates for comment but the club had not responded by the time this report was published.
