Kaizer Chiefs captain Yusuf Maart’s absence from the club’s pre-season tour of the Netherlands has set tongues wagging, and the Siya crew can now reveal that a potential move to Europe appears to be edging closer.
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As previously reported, Maart did not travel with his Amakhosi teammates amid stalled contract negotiations following the expiry of his deal on June 30.
While Chiefs have the option to extend, Siya sources indicate that discussions with European suitors have accelerated in recent days, with Austrian side SV Ried emerging as a serious contender for the midfielder’s signature.
Insiders suggest Maart’s representatives and SV Ried have held positive talks, with all parties keen to wrap up the deal before Chiefs conclude their European camp.
Though nothing has been finalised, the midfielder’s decision to remain in South Africa instead of joining his teammates has only fuelled speculation that a switch abroad is imminent.
For Chiefs, losing their captain would be a significant blow ahead of the 2025/26 season, especially after an aggressive recruitment drive that has already seen six new faces join the squad.
Maart has been a key figure in Amakhosi’s midfield since his arrival from Sekhukhune United in 2022, and his leadership qualities will be hard to replace should the move materialise.
For now, Maart’s future hangs in the balance, but all indications point to the 29-year-old taking his talents to Europe, a move that would mark a major chapter in his career and signal Chiefs’ need to reassess their plans for the new campaign.
The Siya crew will continue to track this developing story closely.
Soccer Laduma had contacted Chiefs about Maart's European interest but the club had not responded by the time this report was published.
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