Are Kaizer Chiefs in talks with Cape Town Spurs over 'two diamonds'? - Club official opens up on millions of rands discussed by the two clubs as Urban Warriors seek compensation from Amakhosi

Cape Town Spurs' Chief Executive Officer Alexi Efstathiou has opened up about the state of their current relationship with Premier Soccer League side Kaizer Chiefs.

The two clubs found themselves on fighting paths over Asanele Velebayi and Luke Baartman, whom Chiefs wanted to sign, but Cape Town Spurs protested.  

Spurs have vowed to fight for compensation from Kaizer Chiefs despite the recent SAFA ruling on Velebayi and Baartman

Efstathiou has now opened up about their relationship with Amakhosi.

“I mean, until today, Kaizer Chiefs have not spoken a word to us. So, we don’t know what they are thinking. We don’t know anything," Efstathiou told Metro FM.

"So, when people say they came last year, yes, they did. I can also give you the numbers. We wanted R10 million for Asenele [Velebayi], and they offered R4 million. They offered us two players on loan, but we said no. We are not in the business of loaning players, and then they just went quiet. So that’s what happened,” he added.

Talking about the Spurs and Chiefs' relationship when it comes to player transfers, Efstathiou looked back and pointed out how they agreed on Rushwin Dortley without many problems.

“I am surprised with Kaizer Chiefs because, I mean, as you know, last year we did a deal with Rushwin Dortley,” Efstathiou explained.  

“Kaizer Jr [Motaung] himself phoned. We negotiated, we didn’t agree on certain things, and finally, we found a point where everyone was happy. So, it’s not that we don’t do business with Kaizer Chiefs,” he continued.

“There are just Kaizer Chiefs supporters always moaning about everything. So, it’s not about that. Kaizer and I dealt, and it was great. But to be honest, if I were Kaizer and someone told me, ‘Listen, you can get these two players for free,’ what would I do? Then it’s up to Kaizer’s conscience if he wants to come and talk to us."

The lower league side attempted to hold onto Velebayi and Baartman, who expressed their desire to leave after the club was relegated. However, Spurs did not want to hear anything about that, triggering a legal battle with the players.

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) Dispute Resolution Chamber declared that the two players, who at one point were described by Efstathiou as diamonds, allowed Chiefs to sign them. 

After the PSL DRC decision, Spurs were unsatisfied with the ruling and escalated the matter to South African Football Association (SAFA) arbitrator Hilton Epstein, who upheld the earlier decision that declared the players free agents.

It remains to be seen what Spurs will do next, having made it known that they want compensation for Velebayi and Baartman.

After the SAFA arbitrator ruled in their favour, it is now a matter of when the two will start playing for the Soweto giants.

After the international break, the Glamour Boys will play DR Congo's Simba in a CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round game on October 18.  

On October 22, they will tackle Siwelele in a PSL showdown.