R55-million is the price tag reportedly placed on Highlands Park's Premier Soccer League status and Mamelodi Sundowns could very well shape the proposed sale.
The Lions of the North, according to Siya sources, is the next club to be sold – but this all depends on several variables which include the owners' valuation of their franchise being met and the PSL ratifying the purchase agreement.
Insiders privy to some details of their financial standing have suggested to the Siya crew that the Highlands are prepared to sell the club's PSL status for just under R30 million, but exclude at least two of their big name players from the deal.
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That would allow them to sell the players and make up the deficit from their evaluation of the club's status. And the two players at the centre of this proposal are striker Peter Shalulile and midfielder, and captain, Mothobi Mvala.
Tim Sukazi, the man initially thought to have made inroads in his quest to purchase the status of Highlands, last month claimed that he could not afford the mega million estimate that has been suggested.
The TS Galaxy owner and chairman did, however, reiterate his desire to buy his way to the Premiership, having seen his negotiations to purchase Bloemfontein Celtic collapse at the eleventh hour.
It makes sense, then, to take half from a potential buyer and recuperate the rest by accepting offers for players. That is as close to a going concern as you are going to get, and would probably suit all parties involved.
But the current market, which has hit clubs hard financially and is a major contributing factor to the pending sale of Highlands, suggests that it will be challenging to sell Shalulile and Mvala for over R10-million each.
It all depends on the buyer and that's where Sundowns come in.
While it has already been reported that they have identified the Namibian forward as a potential addition to their squad next season, it is now believed that they are initiating fresh behind the scenes talks for midfielder Mvala.
According to Siya sources, the Chloorkop-based side are keen on both players, though it needs to make good business sense for all parties involved.
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The players, the selling club and the buying club.
It is believed that if Highlands can cash-in with a combined transfer figure of just over R20 million for both players, they will be in a strong position to negotiate with Sukazi. That would make up the bulk of the figure Highlands will want and if they are able to sell a few other players at smaller transfer figures, it would allow for the talks to progress and for a deal to be agreed to.
As revealed in this week's edition of Soccer Laduma, there is interest in Shalulile from Egypt, however according to Siya sources it may be in Highland's best interest to sell the two players in a combo deal to Sundowns, and position the sale of the club's status.
Shalulile and Mvala still have long-term contracts at Highlands and their fate very much lies in the hands of their employer.
Check out the PSL transfer deals that have been done so far
