Scramble for expensive Pienaar 31/01/2012 | Mazola Molefe | 7 comments AS the transfer window closes today, the battle for Steven Pienaar has gone into the big leagues, with Queens Park Rangers manager Mark Hughes and his counterpart at Tottenham Hotspur, Harry Redknapp, caught in a tussle for the Bafana Bafana captain. DISPLACEd : Steven 'Schillo' Pienaar I don't have any need to weaken the squad. I would rather have a good squad for the last 18 matches of the season than let one or two go who could play a part in the run-in Pienaar wants out of his remaining three-year contract with Spurs, where he has played only two English Premier League matches this season. However, Spurs have priced him out of the market and Redknapp believes the South African can provide cover during the second half of the season. Redknapp said last week: "I don't have any need to weaken the squad. I would rather have a good squad for the last 18 matches of the season than let one or two go who could play a part in the run-in." QPR made an offer believed to be below Spurs's evaluation of Pienaar, said to be at least £6million (R72,7million), while they bought him for half that amount from Everton in January last year. Yesterday, QPR, who sacked Neil Warnock for Hughes early this month, were set to increase their bid as they are desperate to improve a team that is just one point off the relegation zone. It is unlikely that Spurs will lower their demands if QPR's new offer does not match their price tag for the Bafana skipper. Spurs face Wigan Athletic at White Hart Lane tonight and there's a slim chance Pienaar might have linked up with Hughes at Loftus Road by then. Meanwhile, the out-of-favour Matthew Pattison has moved on to Scotland to try his luck with Hibernian after missing out on a deal with English Championship club Leeds United. Pattison is still contracted to Mamelodi Sundowns, who have given him time to search for a club before the January transfer window shuts today. He was due to take part in a closed-doors match against Carlisle United last night for Hibernian manager Pat Fenlon to have a look at him. Pattison's agent Paul Mitchell, who also brought Luis Boa Morte to Orlando Pirates, said a move to the UK would be good for Pattison and his family. Absa Premiership strugglers Santos signed former Bafana defender Nasief Morris on a six-month loan from three-time champions SuperSport United. Morris joined United at the start of the season, but failed to break into the starting 11. Former Kaizer Chiefs and Pirates midfielder Gert Schalkwyk joined the Cape club last week where Duncan Crowie remains caretaker coach.
Maybe a bid for £3.5m, plus a couple of hundred thousand put into a bank account in Soweto under the name of Jamie73 would do the trick.
