SuperSport CEO Stan Matthews has confirmed that Luke Fleurs still has 3.5 years left on his contract.
Fleurs, 22, is a target of Kaizer Chiefs, as Matthews told iDiski Times two weeks ago and there were question marks, as to whether his contract expires in June, which would allow the defender to sign a pre-contract in January.
However, Matthews has insisted that Fleurs still has several more years on his Matsatsantsa deal and his club are in no rush to sell him.
“For us Luke still got lots of things to develop in his game, he is going to be a superstar, there is no question about it,” Matthews told SABC Sport and iDiski Times journalist Velile Mnyandu.
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“He is under contract for the next 3.5 years at SuperSport, we’re not under any pressure to sell him.
“If an offer comes and it’s an attractive offer and it’s a good blend of the money that we’re looking for and maybe one or two areas where we can strengthen the team, I think I’ve shown a willingness to be a trader over the years.
“One thing we don’t want to do is forgo an opportunity for somebody who feels he is in a place where he shouldn’t be, has a bad attitude, that also doesn’t help anybody.
“We’re not there to block players moves but players must earn the move in the right way. If they earn the move, we sent them off like Ronwen Williams – with films about them, documentaries about him, tributes, farewell parties, he will always be part of the SuperSport family, same like Teboho Mokoena.
“If Luke approaches things the right way, which so far he has been doing and the opportunity comes for him down the line to better his life and for his family, then why would I stand in his way? But it has to be the right deal.”
Matthews also stated that two clubs are interested in the centre-back, one from overseas, but SuperSport would be very hesitant to sell him in January.
“I’ve told the local club and the overseas club that we would prefer to do a pre-deal on Luke,”
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“I don’t really want to lose him for the last 18 games of the season. I’ve got a settled, stable squad that’s got an opportunity to finish in the top four for the first time in 10 years.
“Luke gives us tremendous stability and depth at the back, where I don’t have to worry.
“Besides, he and [Siyabonga] Nhlapo and Kegan Johannes who are also versatile, they can play right-back but also centre-back, but Luke’s is a specialist centre-back.
“And if something happens to [Thulani] Hlatshwayo over this time, I can’t afford to be without Luke. And if Luke goes to another club I have to replace him.
“I can’t just say ‘oh, I’m going to run without another centre-back’, it’s not going to work for me for 18 games. So there is more involved around Luke and I’m going have to be very difficult with whoever wants Luke in this January window. It’s not going to be easy for them.
“But if they want to do a deal for July and are prepared to be more flexible, because then I get what I want and they get what they want, we’ll see.”
