Despite a candid radio interview where South African star Percy Tau expressed openness to reasonable offers, a Soweto giant appears to have still closed the door on what would have been a headline-grabbing homecoming.
A Siya source close to Kaizer Chiefs' recruitment strategy has indicated that despite Tau's interview with Robert Marawa on 94.7 radio station on Wednesday, where he implied that he could accept a hypothetical offer from Amakhosi, that doesn't necessarily change the club's stance on the situation.
Soccer Laduma were the first to report how Chiefs were interested in signing Tau last season, and then on Wednesday the Siya crew was the first to report that Amakhosi were no longer in for the player for the next season.
The Siya crew noted the reasons why there was a reported change of strategy, and later on the same day, Tau spoke to the public on 94.7 radio about his feelings on a potential transfer to Chiefs.
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This is how insiders at Chiefs have followed up to Tau's come and get me plea on radio.
"We hope most people listened to that interview and they heard what Percy Tau said. It wasn't (just) about Chiefs. It's believed that the club is not interested in him. And again it's not about the R450k salary (that Tau said he would accept from Chiefs) or the two-year salary. It's about what Chiefs' football department and the technical team are looking at for their plans and the players they are looking at and at the moment Percy Tau is not that player. Apparently he is not better than what Khama Billiat and Keagan Dolly were at the same stage when they signed them. Chiefs want to avoid making the same mistakes they did in the past," the Siya source again underlined the main reasons for the club's stance on Tau.
In the interview with Robert Marawa, Tau confessed that he grew up supporting Kaizer Chiefs and that he is not ruling out a chance of playing for them if a good offer comes through. Tau hinted that he'd be interested in offers from even outside of Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, if there is a good offer.
Tau would prefer to rejoin his former club Sundowns, but he is not sure if they would need him next season. Then he could consider other PSL clubs with an ambitious vision to bring him in.
“I will listen if there are offers, I’m not ruling out anyone. There’s a lot to take in, to consider, you have to consider age, how long the contract is and then family,” Tau told Marawa.
“If that situation were to happen. I would pay attention to it,” he added.
"If Sundowns were not to offer me a contract and Chiefs does, then it won’t be my fault but theirs that I’ve gone to join Chiefs.
During the interview, Marawa asked Percy Tau what would be his expected monthly salary if he were to join Chiefs, then the host asked if R450k would be enough with a two-year contract and an option to extend.
Marawa acted as if he was Kaizer Chiefs, "I offer you R450,000 a month. Do you accept?"
“For how many years?” asked Tau.
“You sign two with an option,” Marawa added.
“Perfect,” Tau confirmed, indicating his acceptance of such a potential proposal.
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Tau is currently a free agent after being released by Qatar SC at the end of their season.
The supposed disconnect between Tau's openness to joining Chiefs and the club's apparent lack of interest highlights a potential shift in transfer policy at Naturena.
While the "Lion of Judah" maintains his star power and international experience, Chiefs' reluctance suggests they may be prioritising younger talent or players with different profiles as they continue their rebuild under coach Nasreddine Nabi. With the transfer window still young, Tau's future remains uncertain, though his willingness to consider offers from across the PSL spectrum could soon see him wearing the colours of another South African club.
