Two-time FA Cup champions, Medeama Sporting Club, have all but shut the door on the transfer of midfielder Justice Blay to Ghana Premier League rivals, Asante Kotoko Sporting Club.

Blay returned to Medeama after a one-year loan at Kotoko and has been the subject of transfer speculation regarding a return to the Kumasi-based giants on a permanent basis.

The Mauve and Yellow are said to have already turned down the first bid by the Porcupine Warriors for the 28-year-old midfielder as the offer fell way below the $100,000 valuation of the midfielder.

Speaking to the Graphic Online minutes after Medeama inked a bumper $300,000 sponsorship agreement with Gold Fields Ghana Limited yesterday, the club President, Mr Moses Armah, alias Mospacka, disclosed that Kotoko's latest offer had not met the expectation of the club.

"Justice Blay went on loan and is finished with Kotoko. We were negotiating for his transfer back to Kotoko but they couldn't come with the right offer that Medeama were expecting," Mr Armah said.

According to him the sum Kotoko wanted to pay for the services of Blay could not be used to purchase a competent replacement with just weeks to start the new season.

"So, the Board (Medeama) is going to discuss their last offer that they brought but I don't think it would be very good for us to release him on that offer because if we leave him we have to get the same replacement."

"Look at the task Gold Fields has given us today, so why should we let him go. We are not rushing; we want to be part of the great clubs in Africa. For now, he is staying. He's in Tarkwa now and he is going to be happier here than at Kotoko ," he revealed.

Interestingly, Blay was not among members of the Medeama playing body who were present at the signing of the Gold Fields sponsorship yesterday in Accra.

Medeama are scheduled to start the new Ghana Premier League campaign at home against Accra Great Olympics between November 13 and November 16, 2020.