Cape Town City reject €800,000 bid for teenage midfielder Emile Witbooi

Cape Town City have turned down an offer worth €800,000 (R15m) from Polish Ekstraklasa club Gornik Zabrze for teenage prospect Emile Witbooi.

The 17-year-old has attracted significant attention in South Africa after an impressive campaign, with a number of clubs reportedly monitoring his situation. However, no deal has yet materialised for the highly rated youngster.

South African league champions Orlando Pirates made an enquiry about Witbooi but did not submit an offer, according to iDiski Times.

The publication reports that Cape Town City recently rejected Zabrze’s bid, with the Polish club owned by Germany World Cup winner Lukas Podolski. City are understood to remain firm on their valuation of the player and want €1m, which is reported to be between R18m and R20m.

It remains unclear whether Gornik Zabrze will return with an improved proposal for Witbooi. The club’s initial offer fell short of Cape Town City’s asking price, despite being worth approximately R15m.

Witbooi’s growing reputation comes after he was named Motsepe Foundation Championship Players’ Player of the Season. He received the award after a standout campaign that helped Cape Town City reach the promotion playoffs.

The teenager is now preparing for the new season with the Mother City-based club, while interest in his services continues to build.

Witbooi has been the subject of widespread speculation throughout the country, but the reported approach from Gornik Zabrze is the first offer to have been made public. Orlando Pirates’ interest did not progress beyond an enquiry, while Cape Town City’s decision to reject the Polish club’s bid indicates they are not prepared to sell below their valuation.

Should Gornik Zabrze make another approach, it would need to be closer to the €1m figure set by Cape Town City. For now, Witbooi remains with the club as he begins preparations for the upcoming campaign.

The report was written by Sinethemba Makonco (@Makonco_M).

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