Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has reacted to reports that Mamelodi Sundowns are set to sign highly-rated midfielder Jayden Adams. Adams was on target as Stellies beat Mali’s Stade de Malien to book a place in the last eight of the CAF Confederation Cup.
The Cape Winelands outfit won 2-0 in a match played at the Loftus Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The performance came on a day when reports emerged that he was making a switch to Sundowns.
Stellies rejected Sundowns’ initial approaches for the 23-year-old, insisting on a transfer fee exceeding R30 million. Having initially been resistant, Stellenbosch has become more amenable to negotiating Adams’s transfer, likely influenced by his desire for a new challenge.
Sundowns have agreed to a fee with Stellenbosch for Adams. The final hurdle is to finalise personal terms, and the move to Chloorkop is expected to be completed soon.
WHAT STEVE BARKER SAID ABOUT JAYDEN ADAMS TO SUNDOWNS
“I’m not going to confirm nor deny your question [whether it was Adams’ last game for Stellies]. I can’t confirm anything and I’m also not going to deny it,” he told journalists after the Stade de Malien game.
He went on to comment on whether they would be looking to beef up their squad this January transfer window. “We’re a club that plans well, we’re a club that understands the business of football, we understand there are times where your best assets are not always easy to hold on to,” Barker said.
“Therefore it makes us extra committed and extra focused on ensuring we’re finding the talent there is to bring in, to continue to make the club competitive.
“If you look at the January window, the last three windows, I think we’ve done the best, we’ve been good. I don’t see why this window will be any different.”
Meanwhile, Sundowns have reportedly accepted Stellenbosch FC’s bid for winger Lesiba Nku. The transfer is pending the finalisation of personal terms between the club and the player.
Nku, a former Marumo Gallants and Polokwane City standout has yet to appear for Sundowns this season. He faces stiff competition for playing time within the squad.
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