‘Kaizer Chiefs wanted him but weren’t happy with deal conditions’

Kaizer Chiefs strengthened their squad with three experienced signings during the recently concluded January transfer window. 

Chiefs needed to strengthen their squad with experience and quality in order to improve their fortunes this current campaign. 

Chiefs signed three players

Amakhosi went on to sign DRC international winger Glody Lilepo, striker Tashreeq Morris and Thabo Cele. The two forwards Lilepo and Morris were confirmed to have signed a 2-and-a-half year deals. While midfielder Cele, however, has signed a three-and-a-half year deal with Chiefs. It’s no secret that they were also trying to add Thembinkosi Lorch from Mamelodi Sundowns but that didn’t happen. 

Lorch was not the only Sundowns player that Chiefs were looking to bring in, with Terrence Mashego also of interest. It is believed the two clubs couldn’t agree on a transfer fee for the left-back which resulted in him staying. Now, according to Soccer-Laduma, their negotiations went far beyond those two players. It is believed that midfielder Lebohang Maboe was also discussed, but the clubs again failed to reach common ground!

Negotiated with Sundowns for another three

“Before Thembinkosi Lorch, Chiefs were interested in Lebohang Maboe. Talks were ongoing but the negotiations broke down at the most crucial time. This when logistics of the loan deal were being finalised. There were other clauses in the loan contract which didn’t sit well with Chiefs, as well as Sundowns didn’t want to change them and the deal fell just like that,” said one source to the same publication. 

A second source delved into more detail saying Chiefs and Sundowns could agree on the Maboe’s loan conditions.

Couldn’t agree terms for Maboe

“You know Sundowns normally pay part of the salary of their loaned out players and that means the player can’t play against Sundowns. So Chiefs are believed to have been willing to go half-half and the player to be still able to play against his mother club, Sundowns. Though, the two clubs are believed to have failed to agree on that and that’s how Chiefs lost out on Maboe,” said the second source. 

Chiefs fans, how do you feel about missing out on Maboe? Feel free to leave your thoughts and feelings in the comments below.