With the season now over, clubs are starting to prepare for next season and one such club is Richards Bay who are looking at strengthening their squad for the upcoming campaign.
Sources at the club have indicated that the Natal Rich Boyz are believed to have opened up talks with Kaizer Chiefs for one of their midfielders for next season.
The insiders added that Richards Bay are willing to keep Mduduzi Mdantsane after his loan deal expires at the end of June, despite his lack of game time through the campaign.
"Of course he didn't play much this season after joining the team in January but it's believed that the technical team is interested in keeping him after the loan deal ends. Apparently they believe he has a lot to offer to the team because of his experience," the source told Soccer Laduma.
Meanwhile a second source stated that Amakhosi are willing to release him from his contract which ends on 30 June 2026.
"I don't think it will be a problem from Chiefs' point of view as even in this past season they were willing to let him go permanently but at that time there was not much interest in signing him permanently. But apparently at the moment Richards Bay have shown interest and it's believed it will all depend on the talks and negotiations. But the interest is there from Richards Bay," the second source told the Siya crew.
The 30-year-old Mdantsane joined Chiefs in 2023 on a three-year deal and last season he featured in many league games for Amakhosi but in this campaign that hasn't been the case at Richards Bay.
Soccer Laduma contacted Richards Bay for comment but the club did not respond at the time of publishing this story.
This potential move represents an intriguing situation for all parties involved. For Richards Bay, acquiring an experienced midfielder like Mdantsane could provide valuable leadership.
This potential move comes as Richards Bay demonstrate their commitment to building long-term stability, having just announced that six players - Thulani Gumede, Yanela Mbuthuma, Wandile Ngema, Thabisa Ndelu, Lindokuhle 'Sphuzo' Zikhali and Ntlonelo Bomelo - have signed new five-year contracts with the club until 2030. The Natal Rich Boyz appear to be balancing their strategy between securing their core squad members on long-term deals while also seeking to add experienced players like Mdantsane to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season.
