Lyle Foster. Image from Twitter@KamoMotecwane
Why Lyle Foster can fetch a R500 Million fee if Burnley are relegated
Bafana Bafana striker Lyle Foster is now a Premier League regular. Is the ex-Orlando Pirates star now Burnley’s best player?
Lyle Foster. Image from Twitter@KamoMotecwane
Lyle Foster is the top scorer for Burnley in the Premier League this season. If the Clarets get relegated from England’s top flight, it’s highly unlikely they’ll hold on to the Bafana Bafana star and former Orlando Pirates striker.
WATCH: Benni McCarthy’s road to UEFA Champions League glory
ICYMI: Full AFCON R16 draw including daunting test for Bafana Bafana
EX-ORLANDO PIRATES PLAYER FOSTER IS SA’S PRICIEST
Benni McCarthy was formerly the most expensive South African footballer ever when Celta Vigo paid Ajax €6m (R113 million) for his services. After Benni, Joburg-born playmaker Steven Pienaar was the second-most expensive when in 2011 he moved from Everton to Tottenham and fetched a fee of €3.6m (R67.6 million). The guaranteed fee that Burnley will pay to Westerlo for Kyle Foster’s services has shattered the record held by Benni since 1999. The Clarets paid €7m upfront, with a further €4m of add-ons triggered because of their promotion to the Premier League. Foster’s move is going to amount to something approaching a staggering R225 million but now his value is estimated at €13m (R267 million). It all started at Mayfair though with Orlando Pirates.
OPINION: Why Benni McCarthy should get the Bafana Bafana job one day
RUMOURS: Sundowns make sensational deadline day offer for Orlando Pirates star
BURNLEY’S BEST PERFORMER?
The Lancashire club paid a fee rising to €11m to sign Foster and there’s no reason why a host of other Premier League clubs wouldn’t jump at the chance of signing the hard-working South African for around double that at least. Foster has scored four goals and provided three assists in 12 top-flight appearances. It’s no exaggeration to say he’s been arguably their best player, and to produce those numbers in a side struggling at the basement is a superb achievement. For the football stats nerds, Foster’s xG + xA (expected goals + expected assists) figure is 2.6, so he’s outperforming that in a big way. He’s already South Africa’s most expensive player ever and he could realistically shatter his record by August. Burnley fans will be hoping they stick around and can keep hold of their star man. Only time will tell.
THROWBACK: Remember when Benni McCarthy tried a rabbit food diet?
OPINION: Orlando Pirates must learn from their Saleng mistakes
Meanwhile, hit up James Freemantle for more insights, news, views and commentary.
Also, follow The South African on X for up-to-the-minute news updates
