Kaizer Chiefs’ hopes of signing Nigerian striker Etiosa Ighodaro for free have been dashed after Mamelodi Sundowns secured his local status.
The Amakhosi had shown strong interest in Ighodaro, but Sundowns’ decision to retain and monetize the striker means Chiefs will now need to pay a transfer fee to secure his signature.
According to reports, Sundowns had initially planned to release Ighodaro, who recently returned from a loan spell. However, with the 23-year-old securing his Permanent Residence Permit (PRP) in South Africa, the Brazilians no longer see a need to release him to manage their foreign player quota.
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A source close to the matter revealed that Sundowns now plan to register Ighodaro as a local player next season, which would ease the foreign quota problems for the club or any other team that signs him.
Etiosa Ighodaro ( photo credit: The Athletic Images)
“Since he still has a contract with Sundowns, what they are planning to do now is register him as a local next season instead of releasing him and make some cash by selling him to any team that is interested in him,” the source said.
This development means Kaizer Chiefs will have to navigate a more complex transfer process if they want to sign Ighodaro.
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The club will need to negotiate a transfer fee with Sundowns, which could complicate their recruitment strategy.
Kaizer Chiefs are not the only club interested in Ighodaro’s services. Orlando Pirates, AmaZulu FC, Sekhukhune United, and even Russian outfit FC Baltika have also expressed interest in the striker. With his new local status, Ighodaro has become a more attractive asset in the South African football market.
Sundowns now hold the upper hand, and they can either integrate Ighodaro into their squad or sell him to the highest bidder. The club’s decision to retain Ighodaro could be a shrewd move, considering his impressive performances on the pitch.
Ighodaro’s future remains uncertain, and it remains to be seen which club will ultimately secure his signature. Will Kaizer Chiefs find a way to sign the striker, or will Sundowns hold on to him? The transfer saga has sparked intense debate among football fans, with many speculating about Ighodaro’s next destination.
