Kaizer Chiefs' marketing director Jessica Motaung has made an honest admission over the club's stance surrounding the on-going contract negotiations with Njabulo Blom.
Earlier this season, Blom's agent, Rob Moore confirmed that negotiations over a new contract at Amakhosi for the 23-year-old had reached a stalemate, claiming that the club was unwilling to pay what the veteran agent believed his client to be worth.
Despite a shaky start to the season that saw him complete just one 90-minute match over the side's first five matches, Blom has grown to be one of Amakhosi's key figures this season. The defensive midfielder played every minute of the club's last six games before the FIFA break.
But with his contract expiring in June 2023, Blom will be able to negotiate a pre-contractual agreement with other suitors in matter of days and Motaung admitted that the club was at risk of losing the midfielder.
"I think the changes, the structure in a way deals are done, agents come in and sometimes families don’t understand the business side of things," Motaung told journalists on Thursday.
"So, I’ll be sad to lose Blom, but if we lose him, it won’t be without any effort from us. Kaizer Chiefs have worked very hard behind the scenes to make sure he’s part of our team.
"I think, you have to accept if a player doesn’t want to be with you. Every player has to learn and explore the world.
"But for us, our home-grown talent is what we are proud of and what we will invest in him.
READ | Bobsteak breaks silence on Njabulo Blom contract standoff
Motaung went on to confirm that the negotiations were ongoing and that the club has the intention to keep Blom.
"The negotiations are ongoing," Motaung explained.
"As Chiefs people, we are optimistic, but we are also realistic. If the player chooses not to be with Chiefs, he chooses not to be with us.
"We also realise that if the deal is no longer good for us, we have to step away. But I think it will be a sad one, and there is a lesson for everyone."
Despite heavy links, SuperSport United CEO Stan Mathews has played down suggestions that Matsatsantsa would try to pursue Blom to come to Pretoria.
Meanwhile, Chiefs will return to DStv Premiership action with a clash against Golden Arrows on New Year's Eve.
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