With Mamelodi Sundowns forward Lucas linked with a move to Europe, Soccer Laduma looks whether a big price tag could scare off modest European suitors.
As previously reported by the Siya crew, Lille have made enquiries about the services of Costa, who has been outstanding for Masandawana in the current season.
Considering that the Brazilian played in the second division of Belgium, for Lokeren, he could be having ambitions to return to Europe, with a top flight team.
And it would also be make his suitors have less fears about whether he can settle in Europe.
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However, the 26-year-old would not come cheap for any club in Europe, as Sundowns are believed to have made a big investment on him, in terms of salary package.
Could a club like Lille be able to pay a huge transfer fee for the left-footed attacker?
The French giants spent a total of €23 million (R453 million) in the 2024/25 season on transfers alone.
That was a small figure compared to €49,45 million (R777 million) that Lille spent in the 2023/24 campaign.
Les Dogues budgeted about €25,5 (R502 million) on transfers in the 2022/23 term.
Considering that Costa could possibly have a price tag of just over €6 million (R100 m) - normally the value on Transfermarkt is tripled to find the market value in negotiations.
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A club like Lille could have the financial muscle not to be turned away by such a big figure for a player from the South African league.
Ahead of the 2024/25 season, Lille's highest transfer was buying Matias Pardo for €10 million (R196 million) from Belgium club KAA Gent.
A season prior to that Les Dogues's biggest transfer was the purchase of Hakon Heraldsson for €15 million (R295 million) from Danish side Copenhagen.
In the 2022/23 campaign, Lille bought Mohamed Bayo, their biggest purchase, for €14 million (R275 million) from fellow French side Clermont Foot.
Former Sundowns forward Percy Tau currently holds the record of an outgoing transfer in the PSL after he was sold for R50 million to Brighton and Hove Albion in 2018.
