Kadewere tempted by Saudi millions
OILED by huge financial resources, the Saudi Arabian league has launched a massive recruitment drive across Europe, and its clubs are prepared to splurge billions to lure top players to the Middle East.
Saudi champions Al-Ittihad have already made a big statement of intent by signing current Ballon d’Or winner and former Real Madrid star Karim Benzema.
By Thursday last week, France midfielder N’Golo Kante, whose contract with Chelsea expires this month, was also close to completing an £86 million move to the same club.
Moves have also been made on players such as Sergio Busquets, Paul Pogba, Pierre Emmerick Aubameyang and Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
“Many more (players) are expected to be tempted by the millions on offer over the summer,” wrote The Daily Mail last week.
And it seems Zimbabwean international Tino Kadewere is one of the Europe-based players who could be tempted to join the soon-to-be great trek to Saudi Arabia.
Kadewere is back at Lyon after a season-long loan spell at LaLiga side Real Mallorca.
He could now join former Zimbabwe national team captain Knowledge Musona in Riyadh, amid reports that a number of clubs have expressed interest in him.
The 32-year-old Musona scored eight goals in 28 appearances for Al-Tai FC, who finished ninth on the log.
Kadewere, 27, scored one goal in 15 appearances for Real Mallorca, and the Spanish side are highly unlikely to push for a permanent move for the Warriors man.
Sources close to the former Harare City forward told The Sunday Mail Sport that Kadewere has since received a number of offers from Europe and Saudi Arabia.
Apart from French Ligue 1 side Montpellier, Kadewere has also reportedly drawn interest from clubs in Turkey and Germany.
“Right now, the boy has gone for a holiday, but offers have already started coming.
“There has been some initial contact from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Germany,” the sources said. Kadewere made history when he became the first Zimbabwean to play in the Spanish LaLiga after joining Mallorca on loan from Lyon on August 29, 2022.
Unfortunately for him, he only managed a single goal in 538 minutes of action.
Vedat Muriqi of Kosovo was Mallorca’s top scorer with 15 goals in 35 appearances.
While Kadewere might be enjoying his holidays for now, his future remains uncertain.
Speculation over Nakamba
His Warriors compatriot Marvelous Nakamba also has his future clouded in uncertainty, even as he heads back home to Zimbabwe for the holidays.
The 29-year-old midfielder completed a highly successful loan spell from Aston Villa by helping Luton Town to a historic promotion into the Premier League.
He has since reverted to being a Villa player.
But negotiations about his future are expected to go full throttle when the English Premier League transfer window officially opens on Wednesday.
Indications from Villa are pointing to Nakamba leaving the Midlands side, with whom he still has a year left on his contract.
Birmingham Live, the trusted source of Aston Villa news, has been silent on Nakamba’s future.
Instead, it was revealed last week that coach Unai Emery was keen on bringing new signings of his own, with Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans top on his wish list.
Khama Billiat’s uncertain future
In South Africa, the media has been awash with news on Khama Billiat, who is likely to take a pay cut and stay for another year at Kaizer Chiefs.
The injury-plagued Billiat played only 10 times for Amakhosi during the 2022/2023 DStv Premiership and failed to score a single goal.
His contract expires at the end of the month and he has reportedly agreed to have his monthly salary of about R850 000 reduced by half in order for him to remain at Naturena.
Young Africans of Tanzania were also interested in his services but their salary offer of about R100 000 was far too short of the former Warriors’ international’s expectations.
The player’s agent, Godfrey “Vokal” Kabasa, is yet to confirm any developments.
If he stays at Kaizer Chiefs, he could be joined by Terrence Dzvukamanja, whose contract with Orlando Pirates expires at the end this month.
Dzvukamanja, 29, scored seven goals in 14 appearances for Orlando Pirates, including the winner in the Nedbank Cup final against Sekhukhune United, but the Bucs appear reluctant to renew his contract.
The Sunday Mail Sport understands that Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane has been made aware of Dzvukamanja’s availability.
His agent, Mike Makaab, has also been talking to Pirates chairperson Irvine Khoza.
Soccer Laduma also reported that SuperSport United, whose coach Gavin Hunt worked with Dzvukamanja at Bidvest Wits, were also interested in the lanky striker.
SuperSport are home to 37-year-old Onismor Bhasera, who is now set to be appointed developmental coach as he retires from playing. Giant goalkeeper George Chigova, who made five appearances for Matsatsantsa in the just-ended season, is also seeking to secure his next move.
It is, however, not the case with Ronald Pfumbidzai, who has already sealed his move to SuperSport after impressing at Chippa United, where he scored four goals in 15 appearances.
Ex-Warriors left-back Devine Lunga is hoping Golden Arrows will buy him back from Mamelodi Sundowns.
Lunga had been loaned to Arrows but talks could begin any time.
Soccer Laduma reported in March that Lunga could be sold permanently back to Golden Arrows, who are also home to Knox Mutizwa. Mutizwa now has 51 goals for Arrows and is only the third player from Zimbabwe to score 50 goals for one club in South Africa.
Gilbert Mushangazhike and Wilfred Mugeyi — both retired — are the other two players who enjoy the same distinction.
Ageless keeper Washington Arubi will play in Africa again next season after securing a move to the Nedbank Cup-losing finalists Sekhukhune.
Sekhukhune will play in the CAF Confederation Cup because Nedbank Cup winners Orlando Pirates have punched a ticket into the Champions League after finishing second, behind Sundowns.
Arubi, who helped Marumo Gallants to the 2023 CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals, has penned a one-year deal with Sekhukhune.
-SundayMail-
