Kaizer Chiefs’ R4m offer for Seluleko Mahlambi rejected by TS Galaxy

TS Galaxy chairman Tim Sukazi says Kaizer Chiefs’ bid of R4 million for Seluleko Mahlambi was rejected because it fell significantly below the club’s valuation of the 22-year-old winger.

Sukazi discussed Mahlambi’s future during an interview with Metro FM on Thursday evening, confirming that Kaizer Chiefs football manager Kaizer Motaung Jr made the offer during the recent transfer window.

Galaxy were unwilling to lower their asking price, with Sukazi saying he believed Mahlambi should command a fee of at least R10 million.

“There’s never been an offer in monetary terms outside of Kaizer Chiefs. Kaizer (Motaung) Junior tabled a R4 million offer. I thought, really, it wasn’t good enough in my view. He should be on R10 million and above, at least,” Sukazi said.

“And Kaizer Junior was not prepared to budge. He stood his ground, and we stood our ground.”

The negotiations did not progress because neither club was prepared to change its position. Sukazi also made clear that Galaxy would not have accepted a different proposal involving players being included as part of the deal.

The Mpumalanga club does not conduct transfers through swap arrangements, he said, preferring agreements based solely on a cash fee.

“Not that we needed players (in return), by the way. The deals we do, we don’t involve swap deals. If you can go back, we do them clear-cut and move on,” Sukazi added.

Galaxy’s decision to hold out for a higher fee comes after a financially productive transfer window for the club.

Sukazi confirmed that Gomolemo Kekana joined Mamelodi Sundowns for R4 million, despite still being a reserve player when the transfer was completed.

The Rockets also received $1 million, approximately R16 million, when Puso Dithejane moved to Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire.

Those deals have contributed to the club’s recent transfer income and underlined the commercial value Galaxy have placed on their players. The club nevertheless declined to sell Mahlambi to Kaizer Chiefs after determining that the proposed fee did not meet their valuation.

Sukazi’s comments provide the clearest explanation of why the proposed move failed, with Kaizer Chiefs unwilling to increase their offer and TS Galaxy refusing to compromise on the price they believed Mahlambi warranted.