The future of midfielder Neo Maema at Simba SC remains unclear, with negotiations to extend his stay at the club reportedly hitting a dead end after both sides failed to reach an agreement.
The one-year contract Maema signed with Simba has already expired, but head coach Steve Barker still believes the midfielder remains an important part of his plans for the upcoming season.
Sources close to the club have confirmed that Barker wants Maema to continue wearing the Simba jersey. However, the situation has become complicated after his parent club Mamelodi Sundowns activated a clause to extend the player's contract by two years.
This means Simba SC will now have to hold fresh negotiations with Sundowns if they want to retain Maema's services for the new season. However, salary demands have emerged as a major obstacle in reaching an agreement.
Maema is among the highest-paid players in Simba's squad, forcing the club to carefully consider its next move before making a final decision.
The South African midfielder is currently back home while Simba's squad is in Kigali, Rwanda, participating in the CECAFA Kagame Cup.
Meanwhile, Simba recently confirmed the signing of attacking midfielder Ibrahim Jabeer from Stellenbosch FC.
Jabeer's arrival appears to have reduced the pressure on Simba to renew Maema's contract, particularly given the midfielder's high wage demands.
Jabeer is capable of performing many of the roles previously handled by Maema, although coach Barker is believed to still prefer having both players available in his squad.
