Kaizer Chiefs are reportedly in advanced negotiations to complete a blockbuster move for former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns playmaker Thembinkosi Lorch. If finalized, the 33-year-old attacker will join an elite group of South African footballers who have donned the shirts of all three PSL giants (“The Big Three”).
Key Transfer Highlights & Financial Hurdles
- Sightings at Naturena: Veteran broadcaster Robert Marawa confirmed on air that Lorch was spotted at FNB Stadium, while FARPost reporter Mthokozisi Dube noted that the player has been around the Kaizer Chiefs setup over recent days.
- Contracted to Al Ittihad: Lorch signed a 30-month deal with Libyan outfit Al Ittihad Tripoli in January 2026, keeping him under contract until December 2027.
- Salary Expectations: Currently earning an estimated R1.2 million (€75,000) per month, Lorch would likely need to take a notable wage reduction to fit within Amakhosi’s wage hierarchy.
- Transfer Valuation: Any deal could demand a transfer fee north of R15 million, with Moroccan side Maghreb Fès also monitoring the attacker’s availability.
Divided Pundit Opinion
Former Chiefs defender Dominic Isaacs views Lorch’s creativity and proven big-match temperament as a game-changer capable of breaking down stubborn defensive blocks. Conversely, former club captain Lifa Gqosha questioned the strategic wisdom of committing substantial transfer fees and salary cap space to a 33-year-old during a squad rebuild centered on youth development.
