Stellenbosch FC‘s pursuit of a replacement for departed striker Iqraam Rayners has hit a roadblock. With the club’s top target, Ashley Cupido of Cape Town Spurs, the valuation gap between the two Western Cape rivals is proving to be a significant hurdle.
After losing Rayners to Mamelodi Sundowns for a reported R10 million, Stellenbosch identified Cupido as the ideal candidate to bolster their attacking options ahead of the new season.
However, Spurs have adopted a firm stance on their prized asset, similar to their recent negotiations with Kaizer Chiefs over winger Asanele Valebayi.
“We priced him fairly. They asked us what we are looking for and we told them and like any other party do, they came back [with a counter offer] and you either agreed or disagreed. That’s where we are – the offer wasn’t close to what we asked for,” Spurs CEO Alexi Efstathiou’s response on Metro FM last week.
The newly relegated Spurs are determined to retain their key players, even if it means competing in the lower division. This resolute approach has left Stellenbosch in a difficult position as they seek to strengthen their squad for the upcoming campaign.
With the transfer window closing in, the pressure is mounting on Stellenbosch to find a suitable replacement for Rayners. The club will need to either revisit their offer for Cupido or explore alternative options to avoid a potential crisis in their forward line.