Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker has strongly dismissed rumours linking defender Ismael Touré with a move to Orlando Pirates.
Touré, 26, has been at the centre of transfer gossip having said to have attracted interest from several Betway Premiership clubs including Kaizer Chiefs.
The former Marumo Gallants centre-back had a stellar season with Stellies, helping them to the Carling Knockout Cup glory as well as playing a pivotal role in their CAF Confederation Cup qualification journey.
A few weeks ago, Pirates were mentioned as one of the teams that had been keeping tabs and subsequently showed interest in Touré, though Barker poured cold water on those reports, stating that their wish is to fulfil the Ivorian defender’s wish to ply his trade in Europe rather than entertaining local offers.
“There’s been offers forthcoming but there’s no truth in that rumour (Ismael Touré),” Barker told Thabiso Mosia on Radio2000’s Game On.
“Touré came to us with a dream to play in Europe so that would be the call, there is some interest from Europe growing for him, and that we would consider. I doubt that any local options would be taken up.”
