Kaizer Chiefs could be set to lose their top striker to an European team ahead of the new season if reports doing the rounds are true.
According to Soccer Laduma, Portuguese side Vitoria SC are keen on Du Preez whom they have reportedly been monitoring for two seasons.
It is reported that Vitoria SC even sent their scouts to watch the Chiefs marksman in some of the games that he played last term.
And that’s according to a source known to the publication, but to date, no official word has come from either Chiefs or Vitoria SC.
Du Preez is Amakhosi’s leading striker, although he hasn’t been scoring as many goals as many football fans would have hoped for.
He was signed as hot property from Stellenbosch FC two seasons ago, and upon his arrival, the speedy attacker showed great potential.
However, his progress was derailed by injuries coupled with the fact that Chiefs were not doing well last season.
KAIZER CHIEFS TOP STRIKER LINKED TO EUROPEAN CLUB
“Portuguese club, Vitoria SC, have shown interest in Ashley [du Preez], and they apparently sent their scouts to watch a few games where he was in action in South Africa,” said the source.
“It is now up to Chiefs to give the player the chance to go for an assessment when the Portuguese side returns to their base for a pre-season camp but the interest is there,” concluded the source.
WHAT ARE DU PREEZ’S STATS SAYING?
Last season, Du Preez managed just four goals in 23 league appearances for Chiefs in what was a below-par campaign for the entire squad.
But since his arrival from Stellies, the 26-year-old speedster has scored 15 goals and provided seven assists in 59 competitive matches for Chiefs, according to Transfermarkt.
Now, this means Chiefs will have to widen their net and dig deep into their own pockets to find a suitable replacement if they are to allow Du Preez to leave for Vitoria SC.
It is almost confirmed that Colombian striker Jasond Gonzalez will leave Naturena when his loan contract expires on 30 June.
This after he failed dismally to live up to the high expectations when he was signed in 2023, meaning Chiefs know they need quality strikers next season.
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