Kaizer Chiefs could reignite interest in Cape Town Spurs winger Asanele Velebayi in the January transfer window but they face two new stumbling blocks.
Chiefs had a few official bids for Velebayi turned down by Spurs in the previous transfer window, despite attempts to sweeten the deal with players in addition and add-ons.
As reiterated by the Urban Warriors CEO Ari Efstathiou, Amakhosi did not meet the valuation of the 21-year-old, which according to Velebayi's agent Lance Davids, who spoke candidly on Metro FM, was initially at R12 million and lowered to R10 million - with the Glamour Boys only willing to pay R5 million.
With the transfer window only opening again in January, there is interest on whether the Soweto giants would bid again for the highly-rated midfielder and it appears Velebayi would be a Chiefs player by now if it was not for the hefty price tag.
READ: Efstathiou To Chiefs: 'Go Look For Another Diamond'
However, there also seem to be another party involved, Spurs head coach Ernst Middendorp, who did not allow Velebayi to go to Chiefs, if his valuation was not met, according to Davids.
"Of course when the next window comes up in the next three, four months, we will try our best. Of course, if Chiefs are interested, like I said, I hope the player will be the same value, even more, but I hope the deal can happen because he's a fantastic player," Davids said on Metro FM Sports.
"Spurs said that's not the value [on transfer deadline day]. The boy also spoke to the coach [Middendorp] and the coach also said that's not the value that they wanted.
"Every player wants to play for Chiefs, Orlando Pirates or Sundowns, of course it was a damper for him. But he's moving forward, he's got a captain's armband, I hope everything goes well for him," Davids added.
READ: Chiefs Told To Up Offer For Velebayi?
The other obstacle for Chiefs in the January transfer window is that Spurs would most likely be pushing for promotion back to the Premiership and with Middendorp also backing the club, they will not want to lose a player they have recently made captain midway into the season.
The Urban Warriors also dug their heels in, unwilling to sell the likes of Ashley Cupido and Rushwin Dortley, when there was strong interest in their services in the January transfer window of 2022 when they were in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
