Shaun Bartlett is being meticulously targeted by both current Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions Mamelodi Sundowns and Absa Cup holders Kaizer Chiefs — and anyone believing it is a fait accompli that the all-time leading Bafana Bafana goal scorer and former captain will land up with Amakhosi could be jumping the gun.
Bartlett’s agent, Glyn Binkin, disclosed on Tuesday that both Sundowns and Chiefs have expressed an interest in the distinguished 33-year-old striker, whose English Premiership club, Charlton Athletic, have decided not to renew his contract.
And although Bartlett’s name has been widely linked with Chiefs on the soccer grapevine, few will have forgotten how mining magnate Patrice Motsepe’s Sundowns snared Zimbabwean international Peter Ndlovu from the Amakhosi in a similar scenario two seasons ago.
”I personally would like nothing better than for Shaun to resume his career with one of South African soccer’s glamour clubs,” added Binkin, ”but at this moment there is no certainty he will be returning to the country — let alone joining Chiefs.”
And Bartlett’s agent said he believes if the prolific-scoring striker joined a PSL club, there would be no reason why he should not rescind a decision made last year to retire from international competition.
Binkin said there is no shortage of offers from various parts of the globe for probably Bafana’s best header to date of a soccer ball — ”and the money he would receive from countries in the Middle East is greater than he has received at any stage of his career”.
Binkin said, however, that finance will not necessarily be the deciding factor in Bartlett’s eventual decision — ”and it will be up to the player himself to make up his mind”.
”Certainly, it will require a lot of thought and time for Shaun to sift through all the clubs who have expressed an interest in securing his services.
”And,” disclosed Binkin, ”there is even an ambitious team in the Mvela League who have made a substantial offer.”
Conspicuously absent from the bidding at this juncture, however, are Orlando Pirates. ”But who knows, they could still come into the picture,” added Binkin. — Sapa