SuperSport United have reportedly turned down an offer from an unnamed Turkish club for star young midfielder Teboho Mokoena.
According to Independent Media, a source close to the club revealed that Mokoena’s agent, Glynn Binkin, had interest shown from Turkey but the club have been unwilling to negotiate his exit.
According to the source the club rejected the move due to the number of South Africans who have failed to adjust to playing in Turkey.
‘Another thing is that they didn’t want to sell him to Turkey because South African players have struggled in Turkey. Bradley Grobler couldn’t make it in Turkey. Lebogang Manyama also struggled in Turkey. Tokelo Rantie was another one that struggled there. How many South African players have made it in Turkey recently? Siphiwe Tshabalala is the latest to go there. What happened? He couldn’t make it. So, that’s why SuperSport United didn’t want to sell him to Turkey,’ the source reportedly said.
Mokoena’s agent, though, has confirmed the interest but believes his client could use the upcoming Olympic Games to earn himself an even bigger move.
‘Yes, it is true that Teboho had interest from Turkey but there’s nothing concrete on that. Another challenge is the time constraints. We have the Olympic Games [in Tokyo in July] and that’s another option for us. He can go there and do well. Teboho doesn’t only have interest from Turkey but from different parts of the world. There’s also local interest but we are not considering selling him locally,’ said Binkin.
SuperSport chief executive Stanley Matthews confirmed last week that they are in no hurry to sell the club’s young assets.
‘We are not in a hurry to sell Teboho. He is accelerating nicely at the club. We want to give him, Sipho Mbule and Jamie Webber an opportunity to shine at the Olympic Games and then we can entertain offers for them. Teboho is one of the players that will be extending their contracts with the club. He will be with us for the next four years and I have no doubt that in those four years, a club from Europe will come for him.’
