Stellenbosch FC have no interest in parting ways with Junior Mendieta ahead of the next transfer window, SN24 understands.
The Argentinian attacking has been integral to how Stellies play since arriving in the DStv Premiership.
The club’s coach, Steve Barker, has repeatedly spoken about his importance to the Cape side.
Barker has made it clear they must start “challenging higher up on the league table” and having incredible runs in cup competitions.
Stellies are in the quarterfinals of the Nedbank Cup, where they play Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday in Cape Town.
With PSL clubs circling the 29-year-old Mendieta, Barker has made it clear that he is not up for sale.
Last season, Stellenbosch sold their best players – Ashley Du Preez and Zitha Kwinika – to Kaizer Chiefs. Several senior players were offloaded.
“If we want to do that [be competitive], it‘s important that we start being the team that doesn’t lose its best players, and we can retain our best players,” he told journalists recently.
The Winelands outfit has a good crop of young players coming through their DDC side. The club’s strategy is to fuse young players with experienced ones to build a formidable squad.
Barker has relied on the evergreen Sibongiseni Mthethwa and Iqraam Rayners this season.
Undoubtedly, the trio will attract interest elsewhere in the DStv Premiership, especially Mendieta.
The Argentinian dribbling wizard has also been linked with SuperSport United and cash-rich champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
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He arrived in the country in 2020 as Stellies made their topflight debut. Since then, he has amassed 14 goal contributions across all competitions.
This season he has scored six goals in the league and provided six assists. Last season, he scored two goals and made four assists.
Stellenbosch are in 11th place with 30 points, just two points behind eighth-placed Royal AM. They will be fancying their chances of finishing in the top eight again with five games remaining in the 2022/23 season.