Harambee Stars Captain Michael Olunga. Photo/courtesy.
Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga has emerged as a transfer target for South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs as the Johannesburg side seeks a new striker.
Chiefs, impressed by Olunga’s performances for Qatari club Al Duhail, face financial concerns in pursuing the Kenyan international. According to “Soccer Laduma” the club fears the potential cost of signing Olunga could be too high.
“Olunga has been recommended to them by scouts. He is a very strong striker, and if they don’t get what they are looking for, they may settle for him,” a source told Soccer Laduma.
“They have monitored his games and they have been impressed, but you know it is not a one-man show. There are other people or parties involved to bring him in. But yes, Chiefs have shown interest in him, and things are looking promising.”
The Harambee Stars Captain has been with Al Duhail since January 2021 after joining for a reported fee of €6 million (Ksh853 million). He has become a club legend, scoring 118 goals in 250 matches and winning back-to-back Golden Boot Awards. He began the new season with a hat-trick as Al Duhail thrashed Qatar SC 6-1 last month.
As a key player, Al Duhail is unlikely to sanction a move without significant compensation, and any transfer would involve a large signing-on fee for Olunga.
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These financial commitments could make a deal with Chiefs nearly impossible, given the club’s limited funds, which have already hindered their pursuit of other targets.
“The only thing that could stumble the move is the financial aspects of the whole deal. You know, coming from Qatar could not be cheap, but if he comes as a free agent, then that would be a different story that Chiefs would be able to manipulate,” another source told “Soccer Laduma”
However, Chiefs may face an uphill battle to land Olunga, as Al Duhail highly values the striker. Chiefs remain determined to test both the player’s and the club’s resolve, especially since other targets, such as Congolese striker Fiston Mayele, have proven difficult to secure.
The South African transfer window remains open until September 20.
