With Austrian outfit SV Ried believed to be closing in on Kaizer Chiefs’ Yusuf Maart, news reaching the Siya crew is that Amakhosi have named their price for the skipper.

The Siya crew has learned that Amakhosi has set their price for the captain, with Austrian team SV Ried reportedly gaining ground on Yusuf Maart of Kaizer Chiefs. In a significant step, Maart was excluded from Chiefs’ preseason trip to the Netherlands; according to insiders, this was done strategically as the team attempts to complete his transfer to Austria.

The 29-year-old has been valued at R15 million by the Glamour Boys, the Siya team has been told. “The agreement is finalized. Chiefs are thought to have requested R15 million from SV Ried. With these players moving away, they are doing well commercially. Siyabonga Ngezana, Teenage Hadebe, and most recently Thatayaone Ditlhokwe were all treated in the same way. With Maart, they have followed suit. The Siya crew was told by a source that they are thought to be money when they least expect it. To make sure they wouldn’t lose the midfield player for nothing, the club extended Maart’s contract before it expired in June, as Soccer Laduma previously reported.

According to Siya sources, Edson Castillo is also anticipated to abandon the team in the upcoming weeks, thus the Bafana Bafana international’s possible departure might not be the only one. “Depending on the level of interest in Castillo and his desire to transfer to another team, they may yet lose him before the season begins. According to the source, that is the other foreign quota spot that might become available at the club. Maart joined Chiefs from Sekhukhune United three seasons ago, and his importance to the Soweto powerhouses was demonstrated during the most recent campaign when he was given the captain’s armband. Chiefs was contacted by Soccer Laduma for comment, but their efforts were fruitless.

Following the 2-1 loss to Vitesse in Kaizer Chiefs’ opening preseason game in the Netherlands, Soccer Laduma talks about the five key talking topics. Reeve Frosler’s goal gave Amakhosi a 1-0 lead at halftime, but after head coach Nasreddine Nabi made all of the starting lineup changes, the Soweto giants gave up two goals in the second half.

McCarthy only made one first team appearance for Amakhosi the previous season, but with his strong showing in the first half against Vitesse, he may get more chances in the upcoming campaign. McCarthy, who played alongside Inacio Miguel as a left-sided center-back, was frequently composed when he had the ball.

Although there has been discussion about Amakhosi potentially acquiring a new goalkeeper for the upcoming campaign, they are currently making due with what they have. Before Bruce Bvuma was substituted in the second half, Petersen, who was a surprise starter in the Nedbank Cup in May, was chosen to start against Vitesse.

Bradley Cross and Nkanyiso Shinga were both available, but Nabi chose to start Frosler at left back, a position he has experience with. When the chance arose, the right back moved forward and rarely appeared out of place as left back. He used a well-executed right foot to score Amakhosi’s lone goal.