The local market has become too expensive – Tinkler
Eric Tinkler is in a race against time to secure the services of a new striker ahead of the Premier Soccer League transfer deadline day on Wednesday, January 31.
Maritzburg United coach Eric Tinkler (Aubrey Kgakatsi/BackpagePix)
Tinkler needs to replace Jeremy Brockie who left SuperSport United to join crosstown foes Mamelodi Sundowns.
The former Orlando Pirates mentor has bemoaned the inflated price tags that hang above players’ heads.
“The problem with the local market is that is has become extremely expensive. That’s just the harsh reality and I question whether those players are worth that amount of money,” said Tinkler.
“As a club, we run on a budget. We have to be very clever in terms of who we bring in and how much we spend on that player,” he added.
Tinkler did say he is edging closer on sealing the deal with who would be Brockie’s replacement, but opted to keep his cards close to his chest in order not to jinx the ongoing negotiations.
“We are fairly close. I don’t want to mention names yet because those processes are still in negotiations and I don’t want things to change in the last minute and then I look like an idiot,” Tinkler explained.
“We need to bring in at least two quality players. We are very thin at the moment. Right now we have Kingston Nkhatha and the young boy Darren Smith and that’s too much pressure to put on the young man,” added the former Cape Town City coach.
