Civil Service (Civo) United have pegged their defender Lawrence Chaziya at a whopping 500 000 pounds (about K650 million) for any European club that might want to sign him.

This follows growing interest in the 24-year-old gangly centre-back in light of his stellar performance for the Flames at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

However, the player, who has three caps, is currently valued at 50 000 euros (about K60 million) by www.transfermarket.com.

The Civil Servants’ general secretary (GS) Ronald Chiwaula said in an interview yesterday that apart from European teams, clubs from within the continent have approached them to enquire about the player.

He said: “There is an agent from Europe, who is representing two clubs and he asked us to make an offer.

“We have told him that our starting offer is at 500 000 pounds. It might appear ambitious, but we believe he is worthy it.

“Of course, the agent says it is way on the higher side for a defender who is just making a mark and we are still negotiating.”

Chiwaula also said at the moment, he is not at liberty to mention names of the European clubs.

“At an approproate time, we will mention the clubs, there is nothing to hide,” he said.

Chiwaula also said South African DStv Premiership side SuperSport United have also invited the player for trials soon after the Afcon tournament.

“Then we have also been approached by representatives of Mozambican and Tanzanian top league sides whom we are still discussing with,” he said.

The Civo GS also said locally, Nyasa Big Bullets and Silver Strikers are also chasing his signature.

He said: “But our priority in listening to offers will be European clubs before we can engage foreign African teams and then local clubs.”

However, football marketing consultant and agent Felix Ngamanya Sapao said Civo are being over-ambitious.

He said: “The boy is good and promising, but sometimes it is ideal for clubs such as Civo to consult on how to do transfer business with European clubs.

“No club will pay such kind of money as the boy’s value is less than 10 percent that price tag. Civo can earn more than 500 000 pounds, but not that way. It’s the same as saying we are not going to listen to any offers.

“Only North African clubs will pay 50 percent or more of that kind of money.”

Chaziya made his debut against Comoros on December 31 2021 during a friendly match in preparation for Afcon finals in Saudi Arabia.

His second appearance was against Zimbabwe’s Warriors in a Group B Afcon encounter in which he replaced injured captain Limbikani Mzava and stood out in the line of defence.

He also had an outstanding performance against Senegal’s Lions of Teranga.

Some players that have attracted interest from agents and clubs at Afcon are goalkeeper Charles Thom, midfielder Fransisco Madinga and left-back Stanley Sanudi.  

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