Austrian club SV Ried has broken its silence over the transfer rumours linking them to Kaizer Chiefs captain Yusuf Maart.
Maart has been reported to be close to joining the newly-promoted Austrian Bundesliga side, having stayed back in South Africa as the rest of the Chiefs squad travelled to the Netherlands for pre-season.
The midfielder is said to have been awaiting visa clearance before travelling to the European nation to finalise the transfer but the club now says a move is not close as it has been reported.
What has SV Ried said about Yusuf Maart?
“Yes, there is interest from our side in Yusuf Maart but nothing is finalised yet,” SV Ried Sporting Director Wolfgang Fiala said in a telephone interview with Austrian outlet OONachrichten on Sunday.
“He is a top transfer target for SV Ried but will not be available on a free transfer,” he added, giving a clear picture of what will be needed to complete the transfer.
Maart had come to the end of his contract at Chiefs in June but the Glamour Boys handed him new terms which now means they will pocket a transfer fee if SV Ried firm up their interest in the 29-year-old midfielder.
Austrian side will have to pay for Chiefs captain
The former Sekhukhune midfielder, who joined Chiefs in 2022, is valued at €1 million (R20.8 million) as per Transfermarkt and the PSL giants will be demanding a substantial fee during negotiations.
Maart has made 95 appearances, scoring seven goals, while providing eight assists, including three goals and as many assists in 33 games last season during his three-year stay at Chiefs.
He was key to Chiefs winning their first trophy in 10 years last season when he scored a late winner as the Glamour Boys beat Orlando Pirates 2-1 in the Nedbank Cup final.
