TRANSFER TALK: Ambitious Chiefs set to miss out on these targets

There is no doubt that Chiefs are clearly making some ambitious moves in the transfer market in the off-season, and 25-year-old Thabo Cele – who currently plays for Polish side Radomiak Radom – is a target who has been regularly linked with the club.

REVEALED: HOW MUCH CHIEFS SPENT TO SECURE MAART SIGNING

Cele has previously been spoken of as a sought-after recruit for Amakhosi, particularly when he was a free agent last year. However, he ended up making the move to Radomiak on a two-year deal in October 2021.

It was first reported by Soccer Laduma that Chiefs may have launched a €100 000 (±R1.68m) bid to try and lure him back to South Africa, although Polish journalist Szymon Janczyk reports that Radomiak are keen to retain the services of Cele, who remains part of coach Mariusz Lewandowski’s plans.

In signalling the intent of Chiefs, though, the latest report by the same publication states that a renewed offer of around R3.4-million could be tabled in order to try and tempt Cele to Naturena.

As is stands, though, it does seem unlikely that Chiefs will be able to lure him back to South Africa.

“Thabo is committed to having an excellent pre-season and starting strong for next season. We know that the market closes later but at the moment he is focused on Radomiak,” his European-based representative Hélio Martins told SABC Sport this week.

“There was interest from Kaizer Chiefs, a great club, but an understanding between the parties has not yet been possible.”

That transfer talk is still certainly one to keep an eye on, while Cape Town City chairman John Comitis has also poured cold water on suggestions that Kaizer Chiefs’ could secure the services of Terrence Mashego.

“I spoke to the player, and I asked him what was all this about,” Comitis told KickOff.

“Because we have made it very clear that no player will be leaving the club this season because we are challenging for everything. And he is very much part of the family, he is very much committed to the club.”

Meanwhile, Cape Town City FC attacker Khanyisa Mayo has also advised team-mate Mashego not to join Kaizer Chiefs.

FULL LIST: ALL THE PLAYERS CHIEFS, PIRATES HAVE RECRUITED!

“My advice to Mashego would be, he knows what’s best for him, look at what happened to players who went to Chiefs last season, and they didn’t deliver,” Mayo said according to Kickoff.

“Putting on that Kaizer Chiefs jersey is pressure on its own.

“For example, you can go to Mamelodi Sundowns and triple your salary, but the big question is, are you going to get game time there?

“For example, whoever thought a quality player like Teboho Mokoena would sit in the stands?

“As players, we have to understand that you need happiness first. Instead of just chasing after money, a player improves through playing.

“There was a time where Kaizer Chiefs were relying on this boy, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, when they couldn’t sign players. Look at him now, is he getting game time? No.

“For example, I’m happy with my team, I wouldn’t get the recognition of being selected for the national team if I was not playing.”

Chiefs have succeeded with other signings

With preparations for the 2022/23 season already in full swing, Chiefs have added five more players to the squad, with the arrival of Dillan Solomons, Kamohelo Mahlatsi and Lehlogonolo George Matlou from Swallows FC, Siyethemba Sithebe from AmaZulu, and the official promotion of Mduduzi Shabalala from the Chiefs Reserve side set to bolster the Glamour Boys’ quest for glory.

FULL LIST: ALL THE PLAYERS CHIEFS, PIRATES HAVE RECRUITED!

Having already secured the services of Ashley Du Preez and Zitha Kwinika for the next three years earlier this month, Chiefs management and the technical team have been hard at work to try and acquire the right players to fit into the system that will hopefully bring DStv Premiership success in the coming season.

In addition, on Tuesday night it was confirmed that Kaizer Chiefs have signed Yusuf Maart on a three-year deal with a two-year option.