Local giants Orlando Pirates have reportedly pulled out of the race for South Africa international Andile Jali's siganture.
The highly-rated central midfielder is known to have attracted interest from Premier Soccer League (PSL)'s biggest clubs, Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Pirates.
This is after Jali was released by Belgian First Division A outfit KV Oostende last month and he became a free agent.
According to The Citizen source, the Buccaneers technical team are not keen on bring Jali back to the Hougton-based club.
The 28-year-old player enjoyed a lot of success with Bucs during his five-year spell with the Soweto giants winning six major trophies with the club.
The Pirates technical team which is led by Serbian tactician Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic has reportedly requested that the club chairman Irvin Khoza not to sign established players like Jali, who has over 40 aBafana Bafana caps.
“I heard they spoke to the chairman (Irvin Khoza) to tell him they do not need Jali as he is already an established player with a big name as they want players who will be willing to fight and make a name for themselves," the source said.
Pirates are said to be looking to offload some of their old players as part of their preparations for the upcoming 2018/19 campaign.
"They are already trying to get rid of the few old players left in the team and it would not look good if he came back,” the source added.
Defender Ayanda Gcaba, midfielder Thabo Rakhale and defender-come-midfielder Nkosinathi Mthiyane are the some of the players who will reportedly be offloaded by the club this winter.
Rakhale and Gcaba spent the second round of the recent 2017/18 season on loan at Chippa United and Platinum Stars respectively.
Mthiyane made only two league appearances for the Buccaneers under Sredojevic this past season.
