Asante Kotoko look set to battle Accra Hearts of Oak for the signature of on loan national defender, Emmanuel Osei as the player’s club; Maxbees, a division one club continue to receive enquiries from Ghana’s two big money spenders.

Emmanuel Osei, who rose to fame last season after an impressive showing for the dethroned league champions Hearts, is reported to be demanding from stung officials of the Phobian club a huge sum of ?300m as enticement fee before committing himself to the club.

A Soccer Express source disclosed that the Hearts IMC sees the sum as too huge for such a signing as they hope to balance their books in the coming season with another Champions League participation in sight.

However, not only is Asante Kotoko breathing fire for Osei’s signature, another big spender, Obuasi Goldfields have also made enquiries on the player who was key to Hearts’ unbeaten streak last season.

The chairman of Maxbees FC, Maxwell Safo told the Soccer Express that the dethroned champions, Hearts of Oak have the first option for the player’s signature since that was the last club he featured for.

According to Maxwell Safo, he has received good offers from the other two Ashanti Region-based clubs for the services of the player but is still waiting for Hearts though he would go for the best deal with the player’s interest overriding all other interests.

Maxwell Safo however confirmed that he had indeed placed a price tag of ?500m on the player when the Soccer Express sought clarification. According to Maxwell Safo, the ?500m price tag is only a proposal and that figure can whittle down depending on the player’s personal negotiation for his release.

He explained that if the player successfully negotiates a good deal, with any of the three club’s seeking his signature then he would have to release the player in the interest of the player’s career, which is paramount to him. Hearts of Oak sources however believe that Asante Kotoko’s presence is influencing the player’s high transfer calls since they are noted for big buys. However, it appears the Phobians are still keeping their fingers crossed hoping that the player opts for them.

But the financial power of clubs like Asante Kotoko who have a champion’s league campaign at hand and also that of Goldfields can easily tilt the scales.