Kaizer Chiefs' seemingly special relationship with Stellenbosch FC could be tested again after head coach Steve Barker almost resigned himself to losing Jayden Adams.
Amakhosi have built a good transfer relationship with Stellies in the last couple of years, after they bought their top attacker Ashley Du Preez for a reported R10 million after they triggered his buy-out clause and also bought back their development product Zitha Kwinika for a reported R3 million at the beginning of last season.
READ | How I Became A Goalkeeper: Silver Shabalala
After losing out on former Stellenbosch midfielder Junior Mendieta to rivals Mamelodi Sundowns, who also reportedly forked out a figure in the region of R10 million to trigger his release clause at the beginning of the current campaign, Chiefs instead made a late bid for the services of Sibongiseni Mthethwa in September last year.
They acquired 'Ox' also for a reported R10 million after triggering his release clause.
The biggest subject of speculation currently at the Cape Winelands outfit is Adams, who made the Bafana Bafana Africa Cup of Nations squad that finished third in Ivory Coast.
Barker, who has seen most of his stars leave at the end of each campaign, told reporters at the Nedbank Cup quarter-final draw that they need Adams to focus on finishing the season and stopped short of conceding that they could lose him after that.
As it is, the Brazilians are reportedly leading the race for the 22-year-old.
"I've addressed that sort of question on a number of occasions, I don't think now it's the right time. Obviously, we need to concentrate on what we need to do on the short term and that is to continue to have a solid season," Barker told journalists after they were drawn against SuperSport United.
READ: OFFICIAL: Nedbank Cup quarter-final dates & venues revealed
"Players like Jayden are important to us and we need him to be focused and be present until the end of the season, then we'll see what happens," he added.
According to kickOff's SNL24 sister publication Soccer Laduma, Stellies have put a R20 million price tag on Adams' services, with Sundowns believed to be leading the race for his signature.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
Click HERE to register!
