Itumeleng Khune has accused Premier Soccer League (PSL) clubs of inflating transfer fees whenever Kaizer Chiefs show interest in a player, warning that the situation is undermining fairness in South African football as the Soweto side prepares for a return to continental competition.
The Kaizer Chiefs icon and former Bafana Bafana captain says some domestic rivals are “exploiting” Amakhosi in the transfer market by demanding significantly higher sums than they would from other clubs.
Khune was speaking as Chiefs, who will compete in the CAF Confederation Cup next season, continue to rebuild their squad ahead of the new campaign.
‘Price will be doubled’ when Chiefs enquire
Khune, who spent his entire professional career at Naturena, believes Chiefs are routinely quoted inflated amounts for local talent, making it harder for the club to strengthen key positions.
“I think, to be quite honest with you, the club needs to go to the market and sign players because they’ll be competing in the CAF Confederation Cup next season,” Khune said, as quoted by FARPost.
“So they need to beef up the squad, but as we all know, it’s not easy for Kaizer Chiefs to sign the best players they need. Unfortunately, for any player Chiefs want, the price will be doubled, and it’s not fair.”
One recent example cited in local reports was Stellenbosch FC midfielder Langelihle Phili, for whom Chiefs were allegedly told to pay around R16m – a figure Khune and many supporters regard as evidence of the premium attached to Amakhosi’s interest.
Call for financial fair play
Khune argues that the PSL urgently needs a more robust regulatory framework, similar to financial fair play rules elsewhere, to prevent what he sees as uneven practices in the domestic transfer market.
“I think in South African football we need financial fair play because some teams are able to sign players, but other teams are unable to do that. I think we need to revisit that clause and activate it in all 16 teams for fairness,” Khune added.
His plea suggests a system where transfer fees and wage spending are monitored more closely, with safeguards to ensure all 16 top-flight clubs operate under the same constraints and valuations.
Chiefs’ rebuild gathers pace
Amakhosi have already brought in three new signings during the current transfer window as they attempt to recover from a disappointing league campaign and prepare for the demands of continental football.
However, Khune fears that persistent overpricing could limit the club’s ability to recruit the calibre of players required to compete both domestically and in Africa.
Khune’s comments highlight growing tension in the South African transfer market, where perceived “big club taxes” are not uncommon but are rarely challenged so publicly by a figure of his stature.
Wider debate over market fairness
The remarks are likely to fuel debate over whether South Africa’s leading clubs, notably Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, are treated differently when they approach smaller teams for players.
While selling clubs often argue that they are entitled to hold out for maximum value, critics insist that inconsistent pricing and opaque negotiations distort competition and make squad building more difficult for some sides than others.
With Chiefs desperate to end a long trophy drought and now facing the extra burden of CAF Confederation Cup fixtures, Khune’s intervention adds pressure on league authorities to review how transfers are conducted and whether stricter, clearly defined rules on financial fair play are needed across the PSL.
