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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Spurs explain Velebayi's failed move to Chiefs</li><li>The two teams were in talks for his potential transfer</li><li>He is now named the captain of the Urban Warriors</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vae4thkJZg4CmvuUtR3C">Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Cape Town Spurs reveal what complicated Asanele Velebayi's failed move to Kaizer Chiefs - 'It’s not that we were not willing to do the deal with Amakhosi'

Cape Town Spurs CEO Alexi Efstathiou has explained what muddled the club's star Asanele Velebayi's potential move to Kaizer Chiefs.The 21-year-old winger was<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/kaizer-chiefs-handed-psl-transfer-deadline-day-lifeline-to-sign-asanele-velebayi-by-cape-town-spurs/blt5af3377d7445d4dc" target="_blank"> on the transfer radar of Amakhosi</a> since the end of last season. The Urban Warriors and Chiefs were in discussions over his move.However, the player could not join the Soweto giants until the winter transfer window closed on Friday midnight.Spurs boss Efstathiou has thoroughly explained what led to Velebayi's failed move to Nasreddine Nabi's side.

WHAT HAPPENED?

"There was interest from three different clubs locally and there was interest from overseas as well but the overseas ones I think were more difficult and more speculative than the local ones.” Efstathiou told <a href="https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/betway-premiership/spurs-ceo-reveals-truth-around-chiefs-offers-for-velebayi/" target="_blank">iDiski Times</a>.“I would say mostly verbal, if you want to call it a serious offer, the one that came in writing from Kaizer Chiefs probably a month ago which we declined as it was substantially lower than the asking price."After that, was there no other? Not in writing, there were further discussions in actual fact if I’m not mistaken on Monday. We spoke with them (Chiefs) again, and we said listen these are the numbers we looking for, this is how we can assist in making the deal more palatable to you and they promised to come back to us on the next day, whether it was accepted or not. Unfortunately, they did not," explained the Urban Warriors boss.&nbsp;“I think the next contact was on Thursday telephonically but the discussion proved fruitless as the numbers were way apart. The important thing here is that we did three other transfers, one with Kaizer Chiefs and then we did two with Stellenbosch so it’s not that we were not willing to do the deal with Chiefs. Clubs, buying or selling, determine the value of the transaction.“I think the complication in this deal was when someone leaked the fact that we were in talks with Chiefs. Had this not happened, I think this deal would have probably happened and gone a lot smoother. As with the other transfers, had confidentiality been maintained between the two clubs, we believe things could have been different. Asanele’s situation blew out of proportion in the media and the waters became muddy for both parties. There are people who believe using social media to achieve their goals is the way to go," he continued.&nbsp;“With our experience, sometimes managers and agents try and influence these things and possibly use media to fuel uncertainty and create chaos, making all parties unhappy with each other, more especially the player, creating a toxic environment that is not conducive to constructive negotiations. A young player, like Asanele and any other young player, needs mature, well-thought-out, and planned guidance. The football world is ruthless and the choice of people around you can make or break you.

WHAT WAS SAID

"This has been a very difficult time for Asanele, and very frustrating, but he has handled it well. When the dust settles, he will realise that from the Cape Town Spurs side, we did our utmost best to assist in a successful move for him, as we did with the other players,” Efstathiou went on.&nbsp;“However, because we highly rate Asanele we, as the selling club, were not willing to devalue him. One day Asa will realise and appreciate that the value we’ve put on him is something he should look at with pride. Other clubs out there may not see or know the intrinsic, rare talent that is abundant in Asanele. Yes, he is a diamond, in fact, a red diamond of which only approximately 30 exist in the world today!“It is important to note that our brand has been negatively impacted by all this. A transfer in and out of the club is thoroughly discussed with the management and technical team at all times. Not one person ever makes a decision as there are so many variables to be assessed with transferring of players," he added.&nbsp;“Cape Town Spurs F.C. are not new at this. We pride ourselves in being an honourable club with the sole purpose of advancing youth football in the country. With over 107 professional players being produced in the past three decades, we will remain resolute to our mantra, OUR YOUTH, OUR FUTURE.”

WHAT'S MORE?

Cape TownSpurs, led by former Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp, were relegated from the Premier Soccer League to the National First Division last season.Velebayi was one of the top performers in the club and he was determined to remain in the top tier with the Glamour Boys or any other potential suitors for the 2024-25 campaign.The Philippi-born star has since been named as the Urban Warriors' captain following the<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/adams-replacement-stellenbosch-complete-signing-of-cape-town-spurs-captain-butsaka-with-bafana-bafana-star-tipped-to-join-mamelodi-sundowns/bltc3aeb48915f9e854" target="_blank"> departure of their former captain Chumani Butsaka</a>, who joined Stellenbosch.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Velebayi could still make his dream move to Chiefs when the transfer window opens in January 2025. But that can only happen if Spurs and Amakhosi agree on financial terms.For now, the winger will be aiming to lead and help Cape Town Spurs gain promotion back to the South African top flight.

WHAT NEXT?

Cape Town Spurs reveal what complicated Asanele Velebayi's failed move to Kaizer Chiefs - 'It’s not that we were not willing to do the deal with Amakhosi' | Goal.com

The Bafana Bafana international was one of Amakhosi&apos;s top targets in the 2024 winter transfer window and was close to joining the club. 

Cape Town Spurs reveal what complicated Asanele Velebayi&apos;s failed move to Kaizer Chiefs - &apos;It’s not that we were not willing to do the deal with Amakhosi&apos;