As the January transfer window opens, several stars from the Premier Soccer League (PSL) are being linked with moves overseas, with clubs reportedly willing to pay millions for some of South Africa’s top football talent. Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, two of the biggest clubs in the league, are among the teams facing the possibility of losing key players, as overseas clubs have shown significant interest and made massive bids for their stars. Briefly News takes a closer look at some of the top PSL players linked with big-money transfers and the eye-watering price tags placed on them.
With foreign clubs reportedly making multi-million rand offers, it seems likely that some PSL stars could be heading abroad in the near future. Clubs like Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates have been particularly in the spotlight, with both clubs rejecting substantial offers for their prized assets. One of the most high-profile players currently attracting attention is Mamelodi Sundowns’ Namibian striker, Peter Shalulile. Since joining Sundowns in 2020, Shalulile has been a key figure for the club, playing an important role in their successes. He is now just five goals away from breaking Siyabonga Nomvethe’s long-standing PSL goalscoring record. However, with interest coming from the Middle East, Sundowns could see their star forward leave. An unnamed Asian club has reportedly made an offer for Shalulile, with Sundowns placing a hefty price tag of R75 million on his head.
Another Sundowns player making waves in the transfer market is Iqraam Rayners. After moving from Stellenbosch FC to Sundowns at the start of the 2024/2025 season, Rayners has been in excellent form, currently leading the PSL’s top scorer chart. Last season, he finished as the second-top scorer in the league, and his goal-scoring ability has caught the attention of international clubs. Reports indicate that Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers made an offer of R55 million for Rayners, but Sundowns rejected the bid, valuing the striker much higher.
At Orlando Pirates, midfielder Zakhele Mbatha has emerged as one of the brightest talents in South African football. After joining the Buccaneers from SuperSport United, following a successful loan spell, Mbatha quickly became a fan favourite. His impressive performances have drawn interest from European clubs, with English Championship side Sunderland reportedly keen to secure his services. Pirates are believed to have set an asking price of R20 million for Mbatha, with many fans confident that he has the potential to make a name for himself in Europe. Although an injury has sidelined Mbatha recently, Pirates remain determined to keep him at the club and have reportedly turned down offers from Asia for the exciting midfielder.
Another player in the spotlight at Pirates is attacker Boitumelo Radiopane, whose performances have also drawn international interest. Despite suffering from injury, Pirates have refused to let him go, valuing him at over R15 million. The club is committed to retaining Radiopane, believing that he could play a crucial role once he returns to full fitness.
With high-profile players like Shalulile, Rayners, Mbatha, and Radiopane generating significant transfer speculation, it’s clear that the January transfer window could see a number of PSL stars moving abroad for hefty sums. However, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates are both showing they are not willing to let their key players go without a fight, placing massive price tags on their stars in an effort to retain them for the remainder of the season. As the window progresses, it will be interesting to see which clubs are able to secure these top talents, and whether PSL clubs will continue to fend off the growing interest from overseas.
