Thabiso Kutumela to Mamelodi Sundowns “80% done”?

Mamelodi Sundowns’ move for Thabiso Kutumela is reportedly very close to completion, with an offer tabled for the Maritzburg United forward.

Kutumela a long-term target for Sundowns

Kutumela has long been a target for Sundowns for this upcoming transfer window, and it now appears that the Brazilians will finally get their man with Maritzburg set to accept their offer for the Bafana Bafana international’s services.

READ | MAMELODI SUNDOWNS TARGET THABISO KUTUMELA FOR NEXT SEASON’S TITLE DEFENCE

The long standing rumours were initially sparked by Kutumela himself, in a match where he went straight to the Sundowns bench to embrace their co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi, before he could head to his own bench. That then sparked talk of a possible link between Kutumela and Mngqithi, and with the mentor maybe adding him to a list of players he wants to see in the blue and yellow next season.

Mngqithi a long-term admirer of Kutumela

Speculation was then further fuelled by Mngqithi himself very recently, when he came out admitting that he has long been an admirer of Kutumela way before his Maritzburg United days. In fact the Sundowns mentor claimed his interest in the players abilities date way back to his Baroka FC days.

Mngqithi did, however, stop himself short from confirming that he wanted to sign the player for Sundowns. Then in a most recent report, a source close to Maritzburg United did state that the club were willing to sell Kutumela, but warned that any interested party would have to fork out huge bucks to get the player off the books of the Kwazulu-Natal based club, a sum reportedly in the region of R15 Million.

Maritzburg are willing to sell

Now if there is any club in the country that can fork out that type of money, people who show a keen interest in the country’s football fraternity will tell you, that it is Sundowns.  Bafana ba Style have been known to pay whatever is needed to secure their top targets, often blowing their local rivals out of the water with their dealings and it seems like they might of done the same for Kutumela.

READ | THABISO KUTUMELA’S PRICE TAG REVEALED AMID MAMELODI SUNDOWNS TRANSFER RUMOURS

Although Sundowns have been rumoured to face stiff competition from Maritzburg’s neighbours Amazulu , who themselves are planning their own recruitment drive geared towards aiding coach Benni McCarthy and his quest to have a successful journey in the CAF Champions League next season (provided Kaizer Chiefs don’t win their final against Al Ahly) sources have told Kickoff.com that Sundowns may have blown them out the water for Kutumela’s signature.

Offer allegedly already on the table

“Sundowns has made the offer. The chances are 80% that the deal could go through,” said the source speaking about the Kutumela deal.

Maritzburg United’s financial situation

It is also worth noting that Maritzburg are rumoured to have experienced financial trouble and are allegedly looking to sell the club itself. So thrashing out a mega deal with Sundowns for Kutumela this window could see the side kill two birds with one stone. One: They would cash in on their most prized asset before he can sign a pre-contract in January. Two: They could potentially use it as a reprieve for their financial problems.

If this deal goes through, Kutumela is expected to join up with Sundowns when the club start their pre-season training on the 5^th of July. Watch the space