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Forest boss wants Shabba

FOLLOWING the arrival of new manager Steve McClaren at Nottingham Forest, the English Championship club have renewed their bid to sign Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs winger Siphiwe Tshabalala.

Sowetan has learnt that McClaren, the former England manager, is keen to bring Tshabalala on board.

It will not be the first time that the gifted Tshabalala goes to West Bridgford after he attended trials at Forest in August while they were under manager Billy Davies.

Davies was fired on June 13 and replaced by McClaren.

Tshabalala could not be reached for comment yesterday but his business manager Jazzman Mahlakgane is working round the clock to secure a deal for the dreadlocked player at the England club.

"I can confirm that there are people who want Shabba to join their club in Europe in the new season but we are still awaiting an official letter to that effect from them," Mahlakgane said.

"Shabba belongs to Chiefs, so they will have to engage the club as the employer. We are not under pressure because we know that we will get something good abroad.

"He is a great player, an international brand after scoring the historic opening 2010 Fifa World Cup goal (when Bafana played to a 1-1 draw against Mexico).

"I think it's a matter of time before Shabba grabs his bags and goes abroad. I must admit that the support we have been getting from Chiefs has been incredible."

In an interview with Sowetan two weeks ago, Tshabalala said he was confident that Mahlakgane, himself a former professional player too, will get secure him a move to an overseas club.

Chiefs general manager Bobby Motaung, on the other hand, said they will not stand in Tshabalala's way should they receive a good offer for him to go abroad.

"My brother, there is no offer for Shabba (Tshabalala) at the moment, but let me make it clear Chiefs are always happy to release our players to go abroad if the offer is good."

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