The pursuit of a high-profile striker appears to be fading for a South African giant as financial realities create a formidable barrier in their transfer ambitions.
As previously reported by Soccer Laduma, Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi was in Egypt on a scouting mission targeting Congolese striker Fiston Mayele, but things are not looking up at the moment in terms of their chances to sign him.
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Siya sources close to Amakhosi's recruitment apparatus have indicated that the only way Chiefs can sign Mayele is if they beat Pyramids FC to their new two-year contract offer which is reportedly close to US$3 million (approximately R53 million).
"The only way Mayele can join Kaizer Chiefs is if the player himself wants to reunite with coach Nasreddine Nabi. It won't be because of money. Pyramids FC are offering him enough money to stay at the club or sell him to a club that can offer more money than Kaizer Chiefs. Chiefs are believed to be offering around a R5 million signing on fee to be spread in three seasons and a monthly salary of between R1 million and up to R1.5 million. So it's kind of difficult for Chiefs to sign him if it's all about money only. Unless the player himself loves to come and play for the club," the insider told the Siya crew.
Even if the salary for Mayele is increased to R1.5 million, over two years that would equate to R36 million. That would still be far short of what Egyptian clubs can afford to pay the star striker.
Meanwhile, a continental football operative with connections across North African boardrooms indicated that the other stumbling block is the fact that not only Pyramids FC have offered him this really good two-year deal, but there's also interest from other Egyptian clubs.
"Apart from the money is that his club is still negotiating to keep him for two more seasons and you know the owners are wealthy people and can afford him. And apparently there is also interest from other top Egyptian sides which could make it easy for him to remain in Cairo. That's what makes it even more difficult for Chiefs to win him over," the second insider revealed.
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The Congolese striker joined Pyramids FC in 2023 on a three-year contract which is expected to expire in June 2026. Since joining the club from Yanga SC of Tanzania, he has been on fire, and this season he helped his club win the CAF Champions League after beating South African sides Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Soccer Laduma contacted Chiefs for official comment but there was no response at the time of publishing this story.
The financial gulf between PSL clubs and their North African counterparts continues to present challenges for South African teams pursuing top continental talent. For Chiefs, the emotional connection between Nabi and his former striker may be their best hope of pulling off what would be a sensational coup. However, with Pyramids riding high after Champions League success and backed by significant financial resources, the Naturena outfit faces an uphill battle to land the prolific forward who has proven himself at the highest level of African club football.
