In North Africa, Bafana Bafana striker Fagrie Lakay has rejected a move between Pyramids FC and one of their Egyptian Premier League rivals.
After making the big-money move from Cape Town City back in 2022, the hard-running attacker has progressed rapidly.
As the team found itself neck-and-neck in the league title race with Al Ahly this past season, he played an important role as the latter used their experience in such situations to win by five points.
The reigning CAF Champions League champions finished with 85 points, while Pyramids finished with 79.
For the third consecutive season, they have finished runner-up in the league.
After beating ZED FC in the final of the Egypt Cup in August, Lakay helped the club win its first silverware since its formation.
Now, according to Egyptian publication KingFut, Pyramids and Cleopatra Ceramica had initially agreed on a major swap deal that would see Sadi Awujoola move to the league runners-up, while Lakay, Mohamed Reda, Youssef Nabih and Abdallah Magdy would move in the opposite direction.
The aforementioned quartet will be on loan to Ceramica.
Despite this, Lakay is said to be unwilling to move unless he receives his full salary up front, which is believed to be around $600,000 (R10,5 million).
According to reports, Ceramica won't budge, deeming the amount too high to pay in one go.
For the upcoming season, it appears the highly-rated forward will remain with Pyramids.
In light of the latest developments, however, it appears that the club is willing to part with the Manenberg-born player, even if on loan... or even outright if the price is right, and it remains to be seen if any other club will not jump at the chance.
Although Lakay was previously linked with a move to South Africa, particularly Mamelodi Sundowns under Rulani Mokwena, it did not work out, and with Kaizer Chiefs currently in search of a striker, they could make overtures to sign him before the transfer window closes on September 20.
