Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat says he has given his advice to Michael Olunga, with the player set to make a decision over his next club.
The striker’s contract with Qatari club Al Duhail expires at the end of the month, and there are indications that the Harambee Stars captain will walk out of the club as a free agent with clubs from Asia and Europe after his signature.
The latest club to be linked with the striker are English Premier League giant Everton, although the move is highly unlikely to materialize due to Kenya’s low FIFA ranking and the Qatari League now being one of the highest-ranked globally.
Turkish giants Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, FC Utrecht of the Netherlands, and Brazil’s Corinthians are the clubs linked with a move for the player who won the Qatari League golden boot last season after finding the back of the net 22 times.
As the debate rages and the world waits for the player to announce his next move, Firat has weighed in on the debate. He heaped praise on the player and disclosed that they had had a discussion regarding his future, although he refused to divulge any part of the conversation that they had.
“Michael is a very good player and a diligent leader, and therefore it is quite normal for him to get these offers. At this point, you have to talk to him; I don’t know exactly what he is planning for his future. It is not really my job, and he knows what is best for himself and his family. I have already advised him, but it is not for the media,” he told People Daily.
Asked about his future on Friday before training with the national team, Olunga was coy , saying he is letting the right people handle his future.
“I can’t say so much at the moment. I think it’s time for me to focus on the national team duties ahead of us and relax following the tough season I have had in Qatar. It was fantastic for me to win three top scorer’s awards in different competitions.”.
“I don’t like to speculate on some things, for I can control what is within my jurisdiction, which is playing football. Whatever happens behind the scenes between the clubs and management is beyond my control.”
Olunga is part of the Harambee Stars squad that leaves for Mauritius for a four-nation tournament on Saturday.
