Iqraam Rayners has seen his market value double from the time he first burst onto the scenes in 2017, to his current form in his second coming with Stellenbosch where everything he seems to touch, turns to gold, or rather, goals.
Who The Player Is:
Iqraam Rayners is a 27-year-old striker who first shot to prominence when he helped Stellenbosch FC gain promotion into the Absa Premiership [now DStv Premiership] by scoring 19 goals for them in the 2018/19 season.
What Transfermarkt Says:
According to Transfermarkt, Rayners stock has skyrocketed in the four years in which he has been in the topflight. His debut season in the DStv Premiership saw him hold a market value of €350 000 (±R6.7m) in 2019. As the goals continued coming for Rayners, so too did the figures on his market value and he reached a value of €450 000 (±R8.7m), when he joined SuperSport United in 2020. After two and a half seasons with Matsatsantsa, Rayners has reached his highest ever market value of €750 000 (±R14.6m) which makes him Stellenbosch's current most valuable player.
Player's Agent/Coach On The Player:
"If he had come a bit earlier and maybe in a month or two if he continues with his form, maybe he gets a shout. If you look at the strikers that have been selected, they've also shown good form of late. [I'm] a little bit disappointed for him. He's a little bit disappointed but he just has to continue doing what he's doing, scoring goals and I think he brings a different element as a striker upfront with his pace and his ability to stretch defences and get in behind. His ability with setplays and setpieces is of a high level so hopefully if he continues this form,' he'll get a shout," Steve Barker told the media about Rayners' form.
Player's contract status:
Last month, Stellenbosch confirmed that they reached an agreement with SuperSport United for the transfer of Rayners, who they had sold him to just two and a half years earlier, for an undisclosed fee.
While they did not include the finer details, the Cape Winelands outfit confirmed that Rayners had signed a long-term deal with the club and returned to Stellenbosch for a second stint after time in Johannesburg where he managed five goals and 11 assists in 58 appearances for the Tshwane-based outfit.
Player's Buy Out Clause:
Having penned a new deal with Stellies just over a month ago, it is unclear whether Rayners' new long-term contract with the club includes a buy-out clause. Although one can imagine that Stellies have learnt their lesson this time around, having lost their star player on a pre-contract in 2020 after his initial contract with the club had run out. At the time, the 23-year-old striker had attracted interest from several clubs Premiership sides, but despite Barker saying the will not sell their top marksman, it was SuperSport who ultimately won the race for his signature.
How Much In SA And Where?
With his scoring touch having returned, all attention could once again be on Rayners as it was in 2019, as quality strikers are hard to come by in the DStv Premiership. Having had a taste of life in Johannesburg, Rayners initially struggled and fans did not quite see the best of the pacey striker in the City of Gold. However, with more experience under his belt and having rediscovered his scoring touch, Rayners could consider a return to Gauteng, where a challenge to the 'Big 3' in Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs or Orlando Pirates could wait. As reported by the Siya crew, Stellies are believed to have fetched around R10 million from Kaizer Chiefs for Ashley Du Preez and you can expect them to hold out for the highest possible price, if they are to lose their goalscoring machine for a second time.
How Much In Europe And Where?:
At 27, whether or not Rayners secures a European move largely depends on if he can break into the Bafana Bafana setup and replicate his club exploits for the national team. His coach Steve Barker admitted that Rayners was left disappointed after missing out on coach Hugo Broos' latest 35-man preliminary squad; however, if his rich goalscoring form continues, you can expect the Belgian to look in his direction for upcoming matches. With his physical attributes and pace, Rayners would be best suited to the French or Belgian Leagues, although it remains to be seen whether he would be willing to challenge himself abroad at this stage of his career.
Ideal Dream Move:
Rayners turns 28 in December and will be looking to secure what could be the biggest pay cheque of his professional career. A move to one of the biggest clubs in the country, will in all likelihood include a significant spike in his salary. A move up north in search of a lucrative pay day remains a relative risk considering his previous shortcomings in Gauteng, although it remains to be seen whether Stellies will be able to hold onto their star performer, should the big clubs come knocking once again.
