Zimbabwe international Nyasha Mushekwi’s intended move to Germany is still on the horizon and yet another Bundesliga side, SC Freiburg is interested in the striker’s services.
REPORT BY MICHAEL MADYIRA
The 25-year-old was on the verge of signing for newly-promoted SpVgg Greuther Fürth last month after passing medicals, but the transfer was stalled by his club Mamelodi Sundown’s high asking price.
Fürth are still keen on Mushekwi and have started contending with Freiburg for the strikers’ signature with the view of landing him during January’s mid-season transfer window.
According to the player’s agent Ralph Nkomo, Mushekwi’s Fürth move was deadlocked by Sundowns’ demand of more than 1 million euros in transfer fees, which most European clubs are reluctant to pay for a player coming straight from Africa.
Mushekwi’s Fürth chances have been brightened by the club’s handicap of one reliable striker in 33-year-old Ghanaian-born former German international, Gerald Asamoah.
Freiburg have also been met with the same demands from Sundowns, but the club is still eager to sign the player in January.
Nkomo held talks with Sundowns last week and was hoping the club would back down when they meet tomorrow.
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“The amount Sundowns want is unrealistic. I am disappointed with the way they are handling the whole issue because Fürth are still desperate for Nyasha. Fürth entered this season having not stretched themselves in searching for another striker since they were confident of landing Nyasha,” said Nkomo.
“Freiburg scouts are watching his games and are impressed. At the end of the day, the team that comes with the nearest value demanded by Sundowns will get him.”
Freiburg is former home to Germany national team coach Joachim Löw and Senegalese Newcastle striker, Papiss Cisse.
Mushekwi’s troubles stem from the nature of the contract which he signed with Sundowns when he was being represented by another agent.
The confusing part of the contract is that it expires and is renewable at the end of each year, but ironically, the player is tied to the club until 2015.
“Sundowns showed me his contract on Monday and I realised it favours the club more than the player. I guess when he signed it he missed some restrictive clauses. Sundowns are still defending their position and it leaves us with less bargaining power,” said Nkomo.
“We cannot let Mushekwi stay at Sundowns for another season because he is now 25 years old, an age overdue for any player’s move to Europe. Our ultimate goal is that he ends up in the English premiership so he has to go now.”
In recent years, Zimbabwean players’ transfers to Europe have not been smooth due to exorbitant South African clubs’ transfer fees demands backed by shoddy contracts.
Onismor Bhasera’s move to England from Kaizer Chiefs dragged long following disagreements emanating from his contractual obligations, while Knowledge Musona signed for Bundesliga side Hoffenheim after Chiefs held out for a bigger transfer fee of around R16 million.
“The problem is that when our players sign these contracts with South African clubs, they will be desperate for a move so they just rush into committing pen to paper without considering many things,” Nkomo said.
“It is good that a player takes two or three days while going through the contents of the contract before signing or take it to his lawyer for legal advice. I would advise our players who go to South Africa to sign contracts which spell that he should be let go if a European club approaches him with a certain amount or less.”
Nkomo has represented some of the top African footballers like Benjani Mwaruwari, Nigerian stars Nwankwo Kanu and John Utaka, Stéphane Sessègnon of Benin, as well as Algerian international Nadir Belhadj.
His client list also includes Tottenham Spurs’ France defender Younès Kaboul, Belgian goalkeeper Glenn Verbauwhede and Germany’s Kevin Pezzoni.
