Mahlambi valuation fuels MLS speculation after Dithejane deal

TS Galaxy chairman Tim Sukazi’s rejection of domestic interest in Seluleko Mahlambi, together with his insistence that the forward is worth at least R10 million, has raised the prospect of another lucrative move from the club to Major League Soccer (MLS).

Sukazi used a similar approach before Puso Dithejane joined Chicago Fire for $1 million, approximately R16 million. That transfer delivered a fee well above those usually associated with the Premier Soccer League and appears to have established a model for future TS Galaxy sales.

Mahlambi could now become the next South African player from the club to move to the United States, with his increasing value and Sukazi’s public stance prompting speculation about a potential MLS deal.

Dithejane’s transfer followed a series of connections between South Africa and Chicago Fire. Olwethu Makhanya first moved from Stellenbosch FC to Philadelphia Union, prompting Chicago Fire coach Greg Berhalter to ask whether other South African players of similar quality were available.

Mamelodi Sundowns Sporting Director Flemming Berg then recommended Orlando Pirates player Mbekezeli Mbokazi to the American club. After Mbokazi signed, Chicago Fire recruited Dithejane to help the midfielder settle into life in the United States.

Sukazi has now placed a clear financial valuation on Mahlambi, saying the player should command substantially more than the offer made by Kaizer Chiefs.

“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. And Kaizer Junior was not prepared to budge. He stood his ground, and we stood our ground,” Sukazi told Metro FM on Thursday evening.

The TS Galaxy chairman also made clear that the club would not consider including players as part of a transfer agreement. He said the club’s preference was to complete straightforward deals involving cash rather than exchanges.

“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,” he added.

The club’s refusal to accept the R4 million domestic bid, coupled with Sukazi’s statement that Mahlambi should be valued at R10 million or more, sets a significantly higher benchmark for any interested club.

That approach resembles the conditions of MLS transfers, in which American clubs generally conduct deals in dollars and do not rely on complicated player-swap arrangements. Sukazi’s handling of Mahlambi’s valuation may therefore indicate that TS Galaxy is preparing for interest from overseas, following the financial success of Dithejane’s move to Chicago Fire.