Who the player is:
Thembinkosi Lorch is a 29-year-old midfielder currently on the books of Orlando Pirates. Often described as one of the best players in the country, the play maker was named the 2018/19 PSL Player of the Season. He has had a few challenges since then but he has shown glimpses of the player Mzansi fell in love with.
What Transfermarkt Says:
In three years, between 2016 and 2019 Lorch saw a remarkable increase in his market value. According to Transfermarkt, Lorch has increased his market value from a mere €225 000 (±R4.5m) upon his return to Pirates, to his highest ever valuation of €1m (±R20.1m). His form has fluctuated since then and he has subsequently lost his place in Bafana Bafana but Lorch has maintained a decent market value that currently stands at €800 000 (±R16m). As things stands, Lorch is Pirates' 11th most valuable player.
Player's contract status:
Lorch has been with Pirates since 2015 with two loan spells to Cape Town All Stars and Chippa United in between. It was only in 2017 when he fully established himself at the Buccaneers. In the last six years, Lorch has been part of the Pirates setup but his contract status remains a mystery.
When he was signed from Maluti FET College, it was said that Lorch signed a 'long-term' contract with Pirates although all parties involved opted to keep the details of the deal confidential at the time, though the Siya crew reported that he had penned a three-year deal.
Indications are that there have been a number of renewals since then but as to how long Lorch has to run on his deal with Pirates, remains unknown.
Player's Buy Out Clause:
There were talks that Lorch was on the radar of Mamelodi Sundowns in the January transfer window; however, a deal failed to materialize. In the event that a deal did happen, it is highly unlikely that Lorch would move to the Brazilians on a free.
Given the unknown nature of his contract with Pirates, it is unclear whether Lorch has a buy-out clause in his contract or not.
How Much In SA And Where?:
There have been murmurs about Lorch possibly following the likes of Teko Modise and Oupa Manyisa who have made the switch from Pirates to Sundowns in years gone by. However, with his form having returned and him forming an integral part of coach Jose Riveiro's side it is unlikely that a move for Lorch could be in the pipelines. However, if a deal were to happen, you can guarantee that it will not be for cheap. There has been a lot of movement between the two clubs in the past although the moves are usually high profile and protracted. Moves from Pirates to Chiefs are even less likely, although stranger things have happened in football.
