Two of South Africa’s best overseas exports in the last 15 years have been linked with moves back to their former clubs‚ but while one move seems to be long shot‚ the other is gathering momentum.
There is growing speculation in Sweden that Malmo could launch a bid to reclaim the services of Bafana Bafana striker Tokelo Rantie‚ who left the club for English Premier League Bournemouth in 2012.
The star’s position on the English south coast became more tenuous in the last few days when Bournemouth splashed out a club record £10-million (R230-million) on Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Benik Afobe‚ who at that price will go straight into the starting XI.
Rantie started the FA Cup victory over Birmingham City on Saturday‚ his first for the club since October 2014‚ but was forced off through injury five minutes before halftime.
He has made no secret of his desire to return to Malmo and in the last few days re-tweeted messages from Malmo fans calling for him to “come home”.
According to reports in Sweden‚ Malmo have expressed interest and on Friday appointed a new head coach in the form of Dane Allan Kuhn‚ which should now accelerate their preparations for the new Swedish season beginning in April.
The transfer window in Sweden also opened on Friday and runs until March 31‚ by which time Bournemouth may be willing to let Rantie go once they have injured forwards Callum Wilson (also a guaranteed starter) and Josh King back.
Rantie was reduced to tears when Malmo sold him in 2012‚ admitting he did not want to leave the club‚ but could not turn down the opportunity to secure his family’s future with the lucrative package offered by Bournemouth.
Since then he has routinely expressed his desire to return and perhaps now it will be sooner rather than later.
Meanwhile‚ Steven Pienaar has also been mentioned in the Dutch media as potentially making a move back to a club that remains close to his heart.
The Everton playmaker‚ who returned from eight months on the sidelines this weekend in an FA Cup victory over Dagenham and Redbridge‚ has also always maintained that Ajax Amsterdam‚ where he played between 2001 and 2006‚ is his first love.
Pienaar’s business manager‚ Rob Moore‚ has not ruled out a return to Holland at the end of the season‚ if he can prove his fitness at Everton.
“His partner is from Amsterdam‚ he often goes there and owns property in Amsterdam‚” Moore said. “Ajax is Steven’s first love and a first love always holds a special place in the heart. Maybe Steven is open to a return‚ but at this time it’s especially important that Steven gets back on the field for Everton. After that we will see in the coming months.”
SA players linked to moves back to their former clubs
Two of South Africa’s best overseas exports in the last 15 years have been linked with moves back to their former clubs‚ but while one move seems to be long shot‚ the other is gathering momentum.
There is growing speculation in Sweden that Malmo could launch a bid to reclaim the services of Bafana Bafana striker Tokelo Rantie‚ who left the club for English Premier League Bournemouth in 2012.
The star’s position on the English south coast became more tenuous in the last few days when Bournemouth splashed out a club record £10-million (R230-million) on Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Benik Afobe‚ who at that price will go straight into the starting XI.
Rantie started the FA Cup victory over Birmingham City on Saturday‚ his first for the club since October 2014‚ but was forced off through injury five minutes before halftime.
He has made no secret of his desire to return to Malmo and in the last few days re-tweeted messages from Malmo fans calling for him to “come home”.
According to reports in Sweden‚ Malmo have expressed interest and on Friday appointed a new head coach in the form of Dane Allan Kuhn‚ which should now accelerate their preparations for the new Swedish season beginning in April.
The transfer window in Sweden also opened on Friday and runs until March 31‚ by which time Bournemouth may be willing to let Rantie go once they have injured forwards Callum Wilson (also a guaranteed starter) and Josh King back.
Rantie was reduced to tears when Malmo sold him in 2012‚ admitting he did not want to leave the club‚ but could not turn down the opportunity to secure his family’s future with the lucrative package offered by Bournemouth.
Since then he has routinely expressed his desire to return and perhaps now it will be sooner rather than later.
Meanwhile‚ Steven Pienaar has also been mentioned in the Dutch media as potentially making a move back to a club that remains close to his heart.
The Everton playmaker‚ who returned from eight months on the sidelines this weekend in an FA Cup victory over Dagenham and Redbridge‚ has also always maintained that Ajax Amsterdam‚ where he played between 2001 and 2006‚ is his first love.
Pienaar’s business manager‚ Rob Moore‚ has not ruled out a return to Holland at the end of the season‚ if he can prove his fitness at Everton.
“His partner is from Amsterdam‚ he often goes there and owns property in Amsterdam‚” Moore said. “Ajax is Steven’s first love and a first love always holds a special place in the heart. Maybe Steven is open to a return‚ but at this time it’s especially important that Steven gets back on the field for Everton. After that we will see in the coming months.”
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos