A major transfer breakthrough appears to be taking shape at Kaizer Chiefs, though a significant financial hurdle remains before any deal can be finalised.
As previously reported by Soccer Laduma, both Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs are interested and have believed to have enquired about Ime Okon, though Amakhosi look the favourites to sign the 21-year-old defender.
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However, now Siya sources close to the situation have indicated Okon won't come free as SuperSport United are looking for a fee of over R5 million as development compensation for a player that came through their ranks.
A high-ranking insider operating between the Gauteng clubs has added that despite his contract coming to an end on 30 June, SuperSport have the right to claim a compensation fee.
"At the moment it's believed that personal terms have been agreed but there is a fee that Chiefs apparently have to pay to SuperSport United. It's like a compensation fee and it's believed to be around R5 million. It's a fee because he is a development player and the mother team has to benefit from him. It's not a transfer fee. No, it's not," the source told Soccer Laduma.
Meanwhile, a Naturena insider with knowledge of the club's pre-season preparations stated that Amakhosi are working around the clock to have the defender available when they travel to Netherlands for their pre-season training camp.
"They are looking at finalising everything before they go to Holland. They are believed to have included him in their plans for the pre-season in Holland and that's why they had to make sure is that everything moves fast and finalise the deal before the month end," the second source told the Siya crew.
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If Chiefs finally sign Okon, they would have beaten two other clubs in Mamelodi Sundowns and Pirates who are also believed to have admired the South Africa defender.
Soccer Laduma contacted both Chiefs and SuperSport United for comment but there was no response at the time of preparing this story.
The potential acquisition of Okon would represent a significant reinforcement for Chiefs' defensive line-up, addressing a position that has been identified for another upgrade by the technical team.
With the Netherlands trip looming and multiple clubs circling, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether Chiefs can complete what would be considered a good signing in the transfer market.
