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Dumped Rantie faces uncertain future

Tokelo Rantie is mulling over a number of options as he chooses the next step in his career, but his long-term future may still lie at English Premier League side Bournemouth.

The Bafana Bafana striker has not been registered for the second half of the Premier League season by the South Coast club.

Currently back in South Africa receiving treatment for a bone injury in his leg picked up in an FA Cup tie against Birmingham City early last month, he faces more time on the sidelines before he will be able to play again.

One option would be a loan move to the English Championship, and Sowetan understands that there has been concrete interest from that division. Sowetan can also confirm interest from Sint Truiden in Belgium, where his Bafana teammate May Mahlangu plays and Benni McCarthy is assistant coach.

However, the club was not able to afford his wages in last month's transfer window.

Bournemouth have said they are willing to loan him out, but now that the transfer window has closed, the only option is a division below in England, where teams can borrow from the Premier League until March 25.

The Cherries are eager to retain their Premier League status this season to take advantage of the new TV rights deal that will kick in for the 2016-17 season and significantly enrich the top division clubs.

From next season, even the side that finishes bottom in the Premier League is set to earn more than £100-million (R2.3-billion) in TV revenue alone.

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