Pirates rekindle interest in Wits captain
They have rekindled their long-term interest in Thulani Hlatshwayo and want to sign the Wits skipper during the off season, according to club insiders.
Thulani Hlatshwayo of Bidvest Wits (Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix)
Pirates have long been linked with the 28-year-old Bafana Bafana captain and are said to have tried to sign him in January. However, Hlatshwayo extended his deal with Wits.
Hlatshwayo’s current contract with Wits ends in 2022, but a source close to Pirates tells Phakaaathi that Bucs are prepared to sweeten the deal by offering Mpho Makola and other players for Hlatshwayo.
“Wits agreed to sell Hlatshwayo to Pirates, but they wanted [Abbubaker] Mobara. Everything was on course for the deal to happen until Mobara turned down Wits’ offer,” said the source.
“Pirates are now offering Mpho and other players to try to sweeten the deal, but nothing has been agreed upon so far.”
Makola’s contract with Pirates is set to expire at the end of the 2018/19 season. It’s unclear at this stage if the 32-year-old midfielder will be willing to go to Wits or if he will remain with Pirates.
