Big Three Target: I Have Made It Quite Clear…

It will become clearer in the coming months where he does eventually end up playing, but a defender who is on the radar of the country’s Big Three sides has today responded to the growing interest from Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.

Rushine De Reuck has played every minute of every Absa Premiership game for Maritzburg United so far this season and top clubs couldn’t help but salivate.

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The 24-year-old is poised to at least be among the candidate for Defender of the Season, though he has some stiff competition.

On Friday, the young centreback was asked what he made of talk that Sundowns, Chiefs and Pirates could come for his services when the transfer window does open.

“I am not really thinking about that. I am more focused on Maritzburg now and that is the most important thing for me, so I don’t go into my day thinking about who wants me,” De Reuck told journalists during an online press conference.  

“If teams are interested then they need to contact the club. I don’t really know how to feel about the interest, but it is obviously a good thing for my progress and what I have achieved with Maritzburg this season. I have already reached my goals, what I had set out for myself, and the season is not even finished yet. What’s important for right now is to focus on that and not worry too much about what people are saying because it can have both a negative and positive effect on you. For me it’s about keeping my coach happy.”

Of course it’s unlikely that Maritzburg, a selling club by nature, would reject big money offers from the Big Three, but De Reuck said he would love to return to Europe.

Read: The Letter Sent To PSL Clubs On Return Of Football 

“I think I have made it quite clear before this press conference that I see myself going back to Europe,” said the player who’s had a stint in Portugal before.  

His contract will expire in June 2021.

“I have unfished business there and know what it takes play there. When I was there at 19, I felt I was ready football-wise, but mentally I was missing home. But now I am a different player, I feel like I am ready to take this next step in my career,” added De Reuck.

“I think I also need to work towards getting a Bafana Bafana call up because then teams can look at me. I am 24 and don’t even have one cap. That can make it difficult.”   

Story by @superjourno