Interest continues to mount in a Nigerian striker who finds himself at the centre of an intensifying transfer battle involving multiple top flight clubs in South Africa and abroad.
Soccer Laduma had previously reported that Kaizer Chiefs and Russian team FC Baltika are interested in Mamelodi Sundowns striker Etiosa Ighodaro.
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Now, well-connected transfer insiders operating across multiple PSL clubs have indicated that Orlando Pirates, AmaZulu FC, and Sekhukhune United are believed to be interested in Ighodaro.
"There are local teams apart from Kaizer Chiefs who are also interested in him. I can tell you that AmaZulu FC have already contacted Sundowns and the player's representatives as they want to keep him (after the loan). And there is Orlando Pirates and Sekhukhune United. It's believed that they have both been in touch concerning Ighodaro. It's a matter of who comes up with the best offer," the source told the Siya crew.
Meanwhile, a confidant with access to ongoing transfer negotiations stated that with interest from Wydad Casablanca and FC Baltika of Russia, it will be difficult to keep the striker locally.
"The thing is that there is interest in Russia and Morocco and it is becoming difficult to keep him locally. But it's believed that Sekhukhune United are preparing to sign him as a replacement for Andy Boyeli who is wanted by Pyramids FC in Egypt. So as I have said, let's wait and see as there are many other factors around his move from Sundowns. But interest in him keeps on growing," the second source revealed.
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Locally, Chiefs are believed to be in the forefront in the fight to sign the Nigerian-born striker who spent last season on loan at AmaZulu FC, where he played in nearly all the PSL games.
Soccer Laduma contacted Sekhukhune United, Pirates and AmaZulu for comment but there was no response at the time of publishing this story.
The growing interest in Ighodaro creates a fascinating dynamic as the transfer window approaches. The financial muscle of foreign clubs could ultimately prove decisive factors in the Nigerian's decision which may then place Amakhosi at a disadvantage. Sundowns' reported willingness to part ways with the striker suggests they've already moved on in their planning, leaving Ighodaro free to choose his next destination from an increasingly crowded field of suitors.
