We are not desperate to sell big boy Khama: Sundowns

Fungai Muderere
SOUTH AFRICAaï¿½ï¿½S Absa Premiership giants Mamelodi Sundowns are not accepting bids for their Most Valuable Player. Aï¿½

Thereaï¿½ï¿½s been corridor talk their attacking midfield sensation, Khama Billiat has a R38 million price tag, a claim they deny and as a matter of fact, they feel he is worth more than that.

aï¿½?We have not put a price tag on Khama. We are not desperate to sell Khama. He is still a Mamelodi Sundowns player,aï¿½? said Thulani Thuswa the teamaï¿½ï¿½s communications coordinator in an interview from South Africa.

The player has been the subject of speculation in recent months with interest coming from as far as Egyptian sides Al-Ahly and Zamalek, Belgium and France.

aï¿½?There is no formal offer that has come our way. If any club is interested in him, they should show some level of seriousness by making a formal approach but all what we want at Sundowns at the moment is to see Khama conquer Africa first. Interested clubs should follow proper channels and make official offers. We have not discussed figures yet because offers are yet to be made,aï¿½? added Thuswa.

The two months long International transfer window is set to close next week Wednesday at midnight.

According to two respected South African publications Soccer Laduma and Kickoff.Com, Billiat, who clinched the Absa Premiership footballer of the Year gong last season, had continued to impress in the Caf Champions League where the Brazilians have already secured their passage into the semi-finals.

Soccer Laduma reported that Al Ahly were willing to part with R17 million rand for Billiat. Al Ahlyaï¿½ï¿½s financial position has been boosted after selling Ramadan Sobhi to English Premier League side Stoke City in a big money move.

The publication further alleged that although interest had also come from Belgium and France, Al Ahly seemed to have been the team that had shown the greatest intent so far.

Asked if such publicity would not negatively impact on Billiataï¿½ï¿½s levels of concentration, Thuswa said:Aï¿½ aï¿½?He is a big boy. He is an experienced player who has matured with each passing season and that is why he is one of our three captains.aï¿½?

Another South African newspaper, The Citizen, recently reported that Mamelodi Sundowns could be prepared to sell their star if a club meets their US$2, 5 million valuation of the Zimbabwe international.

Billiat is one of the three Sundowns players who made the Confederation of African Football Champions League Team of the Week after their impressive performances thus far in the competition.

Teko Modise and Thabo Nthethe were also picked as some of the top performers in the continental competition after Match Day Four.

Modise was a marvel to watch as he pulled the strings and commanded the midfield in Sundownsaï¿½ï¿½ 1-0 win over Egyptian giants, Zamalek, in mid July.

Billiat tormented the Zamalek defence and came close to scoring on numerous occasions. Nthethe was solid at the back and easily thwarted every attacking effort Zamalek tried. .