Lebogang Phiri is not likely to return to South Africa soon, but the midfielder has been spotted in the country despite the Turkish Supër Lig continuing.
This has raised questions over the 29-year-old's future with the club he signed for back in 2021 on a three season deal. Soccer Laduma has done some digging and it turns out Phiri is not in the plans for Caykur Rizespor and is now in a position to sign a pre-contract with any club of his choice, effective from this month.
The player returned to Turkey at the beginning of the season at the end of his loan agreement at Paris FC in the French Ligue 2, and it was thought he would fight his way back into the team.
But this has not been the case and the Bafana Bafana international has yet to make an appearance for a side that is currently in eighth position and hoping to secure a spot in one of the European competitions.
It's understood Paris were willing to buy Phiri outright as per the loan clause. However, Rizespor appear to have priced him out of the market. The next step would be to mutually terminate his contract and allow him to become a free agent with immediate effect, but the fact that this hasn't happened means the Turkish outfit are hoping to cash in on Phiri this month.
As things stand, this doesn't look likely. Siya sources have suggested the player is prepared to wait another six months – if he has to – to be given his clearance and start afresh.
