Springbok captain Siya Kolisi could be a Shark as early as next week, but there will be no R1million transfer fee.
Kolisi’s contract with Western Province ends on October 31 but because he is set to join the Sharks far sooner –WP are asking for R1m – but Sharks chief executive Ed Coetzee says this is not going to happen.
Coetzee said: “No, we will not be paying a transfer fee.
“We are in advanced and very positive negotiations with Siya – his goals regarding his career are aligned with our goals as a team – but we are not going to pay WP a fee.
“Siya’s early release from WP is a matter between him and the union, and we are negotiating with him as a free agent.
“We would like to have the Springbok captain here in Durban, and we will take him when he sorts out his release from WP, but we will not pay a transfer fee.
There has been speculation that Kolisi would be joining the Sharks from the moment MVM Holdings bought a controlling share in the Sharks.
Kolisi is also on the books of powerful worldwide marketing group Roc Nation, who have partnered with the Sharks as part of the MVM deal.
MVM and WP could not strike a deal after earlier talks, and the Americans switched their attention to Durban where they were welcomed with open arms.
The movement of Kolisi to the Sharks would have been on the table when MVM and the Sharks met.