James Keene will not be joining Kaizer Chiefs right now, but he could be penning a permanent deal at the start of next season… Maybe. Will Stuart Baxter secure his signature?

Bobby Motaung recently admitted that there was no real point in adding Keene to the club’s books as there are just six league games remaining in this current campaign, but he did concede that there was a possibility the English striker could sign ahead of the 2015/16 campaign. 

It is a rather strange statement to make when the club is in desperate need of some attacking reinforcements, and there are more than just six league games remaining should Chiefs progress into the next round of the CAF Champions League.

Outside of that, what makes this even more peculiar is that if the club is going to sign him in three months, why not just secure his services as soon as possible?

This then leads me to my point of Baxter. The English tactician has undoubtedly played a role in bringing Keene on trial, and it is said that he was the one who requested a deal be offered to Keene. 

But with Baxter’s future still uncertain, is the player unwilling to sign now just in case Baxter leaves?

It would be quite the blow to Keene if he signed to work under Baxter and then the English coach just left. So this may be a primary factor in his signature not being scribbled on a Chiefs contract. 

Baxter’s man-management is something special, and he has been crucial in making sure players stay or arrive at Naturena. 

Could Baxter be the reason behind Keene joining or not joining Chiefs?