Thabo Cele is still expected to play for the Chiefs. Image: The Citizen

REVEALED: Why Kaizer Chiefs deal for Cele is taking so long

Kaizer Chiefs are known admirers of bafana Bafana star Thabo Cele. However, the deal has just hit a major snag.

by James Freemantle

10-08-2023 16:06

in Premier Soccer League

Thabo Cele is still expected to play for the Chiefs. Image: The Citizen

Kaizer Chiefs are known admirers of Bafana Bafana midfielder Thabo Cele. However, a potential move for the 26-year-old has hit a snag.

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Why is the Cele to Chiefs deal taking so long?

Kaizer Chiefs’ pursuit of Bafana Bafana star Thabo Cele is in limbo as the two parties have yet to reach an agreement on terms. The 26-year-old midfielder has been persistently linked with the Glamour Boys in recent weeks. The player’s contract with Polish Ekstraklasa outfit Radomiak expires in June next year, but they’re willing to let him go if they receive an attractive offer.

“The Thabo Cele to Kaizer Chiefs deal seems to have hit a snag,” said digital scout and overseas player monitor Prince Sobayeni in an interview with FARPost.

“The player’s camp said they have been negotiating with Kaizer Chiefs for some time. But they are struggling to reach an agreement in terms of the player’s personal terms.

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“With the player wanting to come back from Europe, it has to be for the right terms. I guess this includes the salary and other aspects of the deal which are important.

“So, if those terms are not met, the player would rather remain overseas and continue with his career, where he is still contracted to his team, who were willing to let him go for free if he finds a good deal. But that seems to be a thing of the past with this Kaizer Chiefs deal stalling.”

Sobayeni continued: “But anything can happen because the deal is still on the table, and anything can happen because the transfer window is still open.

“It will be interesting to see what happens because, at the moment is 50/50, as you know, transfers can take a turn. It will be up to Kaizer Chiefs to persuade the player and push the deal a little bit further.

“For now, we will have to wait and see what happens in the coming days. The transfer window is only closing at the end of the month.”

Cele recently stated that ‘anything is possible’ as he considers his options away from Radomiak. However, he said his “intention is always to climb a ladder” because he dreams of playing in Europe’s biggest leagues.

“It is always possible [PSL move], especially when the transfer window is open,” said Cele in Durban during the COSAFA Cup. “And I won’t lie, it’s something that you consider because sometimes you find it tough [abroad], and you think about all other things.”

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Amakhosi are not the only team that is keen on signing the deep-lying midfield maestro. Morocco’s AS FAR Rabat, Sekhukhune United, AmaZulu and MLS side St Louis City SC are just a few of the teams also keen. St. Louis City are especially ironic, given they have Njabulo Blom on their books.

As soon as we know more about Cele’s future, you’ll be the first to know.

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