TRANSFER TALK: Pirates star to join Sekhukhune as Maart replacement?

Notably, a Sekhukhune source has told The Sowetan that the club has reached an agreement with Pirates to snap up Linda Mntambo, effectively as a replacement for Yusuf Maart.

TRANSFER TALK: CHIEFS, SWALLOWS AGREE TO PLAYER DEAL – REPORT

“We have reached an agreement with Pirates to sign Mntambo and the deal can happen before the end of the week,” a Sekhukhune insider at the club told Sowetan.

“He will likely be joining the club and once everything is signed the club will let the public know. It’s only the minor thing that is left, but the deal is almost done.”

Mntambo only enjoyed sporadic game time at Pirates this past season, and a move to Sekhukhune could be seen as a win-win situation in order to receive more frontline action, while filling a hole left behind by Maart.

It’s clear that Chiefs are looking to rebuild their squad to be more competitive next year, and after signing Siyethemba Sithebe from AmaZulu on a pre-contract, reports also suggest Amakhosi bosses have made a breakthrough in signing Maart.

CONFIRMED: DU PREEZ AND KWINIKA TO JOIN CHIEFS FROM JULY!

The contract situation for Maart means Kaizer Chiefs were expected to have to table a sizeable transfer fee. Sekhukhune United CEO Jonas Malatji recently suggested he in fact expected Maart to stay with the club because the offers that had come through were not good enough.

In the latest development, Chiefs apparently tabled a second bid in their pursuit of Maart, who had a R10-million ‘price tag‘ from Sekhukhune.

According to recent reports, the two clubs have come to an agreement, while the player’s personal terms have been met, and he should sign off on the deal this week.

PIRATES ARE GOING THROUGH A REBUILDING PROCESS OF THEIR OWN

Meanwhile, Pirates have parted ways with a well-known squad member as they continue to build towards the 2022/23 season.

Last week, Pirates released the following statement, bidding farewell to Thulani Tyson Hlatshwayo as they jointly announced the amicable parting of ways between the two parties.

A leader amongst men, Tyson has always sought to make a meaningful contribution wherever he plays, and this is what has ultimately influenced his decision to request the Club to grant him his request to leave.

Hlatshwayo said: “My dream to wear the black and white jersey of Orlando Pirates has been fulfilled.

“When I came here, I said I wanted a trophy, and we were able to deliver on that mandate. Unfortunately, the second season didn’t work out the way I wanted it to, and this is what has informed my decision to request the Club to grant me my wish of leaving because I still have a lot to give and a lot to offer in the field of play. This is something that I shared with Management.”