Royal AM has stood firm by slapping a R20-million price tag on Kaizer Chiefs target Victor Letsolalo with owner Shauwn Mkhize stating she’s ‘not here to sell players’.
Chiefs have not hidden their desire to land the 29-year-old Bafana Bafana striker and made an official move for him in the January transfer window which prompted CEO Sinky Mnisi to hit back at their pursuit by stating Victor is a ‘Rolls Royce’ while Chiefs are bidding for the value of a ‘Mazda 323’.
Interim coach Arthur Zwane confirmed after their final game of the season that they are still keen on the player and believes he fits the profile of an Amakhosi player before casting doubt on whether they could lure him from the KZN outfit.
“Is Victor Letsoalo the type of player who can play for Kaizer Chiefs, the answer is yes, but can we get him? Do you understand what I’m saying… So those are the challenges you are faced with and it’s the reality,” Zwane said last Saturday.
The difficulties of landing the in-form marksman who’s netted 16 goals in 30 games across all competitions this season seemingly accelerated their move for Ashley Du Preez from Stellenbosch, with Chiefs wasting no time in activating his buy-out clause which is a fraction of the R20-million they were quoted upon enquiry for Letsoalo who’s made no secret of his desire to make a move to one of the big three.
However, the price tag may not be his actual valuation but rather the Royal AM hierarchy stamping their authority after an incredible debut season in the top-flight under head coach John Maduka.
Mkhize, KosiBayNews stated that they are not looking to lose any of their key players as they aim to build on their success of the 2021/22 season, which could still see them finish in the top three and qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup.
“I wouldn’t like to say all the success of Royal AM depends on Victor but I would say it’s teamwork. But I understand Victor has been doing very well, the second goalscorer behind Sundowns (Peter) Shalulile,” she stated.
“By the very same token, as I’ve told you, I want to keep stability in my team and I want to compete in the top-8. Me, I’m not here to sell players, but I’m here to make sure that our team achieves what we want to achieve.”
Chiefs have already secured the signings of Siyathemba Sithebe from AmaZulu, after he signed a pre-contract in January, Zitha Kwinika and are expected to conclude a deal for Du Preez this week – while AM have yet to land signings yet, with their season finale set for Friday at Chatsworth Stadium against the Buccaneers.
