As Kaizer Chiefs continue their pre-season training in Turkey, the Siya crew has been informed of how management is involved in searching for new transfers behind the scenes.
Siya sources have indicated that new coach Nasreddine Nabi has set his sights on acquiring his former striker, Fiston Mayele, who is currently playing for Egyptian club Pyramids FC.
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Mayele had been linked to Chiefs in the past, but this time the stumbling block is that securing his services could come with a new hefty price tag of approximately $1.2 million (around to R22 million).
Sources close to the situation added that Nabi has specifically requested Amakhosi management to pursue Mayele, a striker from the Democratic Republic of Congo whom the coach had previously coached at Yanga SC.
"It is believed that the coach has made requests for two strikers. One is a Botswana international (Tumisang Orebonye) and the recent one is former Yanga SC striker from DRC, Fiston Mayele," said the Siya source.
"Doubts are still there because of the reported asking price from his current team, Pyramids FC of Egypt. It is believed that they are looking at $1.2m (R22m). The club feels that is too much."
The interest in Mayele isn't new; Chiefs had previously considered signing him before his move to Egypt, when his valuation was significantly lower.
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"You know before he moved to Egypt, Chiefs were interested in him and at that time Yanga were looking for close to R10m. So that's where the doubts are but the coach has shown interest in him because he knows him as he worked with him at Yanga for two seasons and he knows what he can do. We are yet to see if something will come up soon," the source added.
In addition to Mayele, Chiefs are also reportedly considering Orebonye, a Botswana international, as they aim to strengthen their strike force significantly, according to a second insider.
"For them they feel like most of the strikers are wingers and not outright strikers. That's why they want to sign at least two strikers and also in anticipation of Ashley Du Preez's move to Portugal, they want to have a replacement ready if that move happens. That's why the technical team has identified Fiston Mayele as one of the strikers they would like to bring to Naturena," the second Siya source stated.
Chiefs are currently preparing for the upcoming season while in Europe and will soon face Tanzanian side Yanga SC in the inaugural Toyota Cup at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa. This match will provide further opportunity to assess the team's needs and the integration of any new strategies by coach Nabi.
