Even before his move to Mamelodi Sundowns in January 2022, there was already talk of a European move for midfield powerhouse Teboho Mokoena. Belgian giants RSC Anderlecht were understood to be keen on his signature, as confirmed by SuperSport United CEO Stan Matthews at the time. The Brazilians, as they so often do, swooped in to prize the player away from their cross-town rivals for a handsome transfer fee, and he has gone on to take his game to the next level, firmly establishing himself as one of the best midfielders in the country!
The reigning PSL Player of the Season saw his stock rise exponentially following his stellar showing for Bafana Bafana at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, where he shone brightly for coach Hugo Broos' side. Given his contribution to the national team, Mokoena has attracted interest from multiple clubs abroad, as confirmed exclusively to Soccer Laduma by his long-term agent, Glyn Binkin. The next six months are set to be crucial for the 27-year-old, who does have a long-term contract in place with the Tshwane giants. As per Binkin's comments, the Bethlehem-born star harbours dreams of playing at the highest level in Europe – but it remains to be seen whether a move comes along that is in the interest of the club, the player and his camp.
What The Siya Crew Has Been Told...
The latest news reaching this publication is that a number of European clubs have expressed their interest in luring Teboho Mokoena to their respective camps. It is unclear whether the clubs have made their interest known to Mamelodi Sundowns, but they have alerted the player's camp about their interest.
"It has been interesting couple of weeks, obviously a lot of speculation around 'Tebza' following his performances on the field. But we've always said that his aim then was to focus on the Nations Cup and now he's come back to his club. He's got a lot of work to do in the next couple of months at the club till the end of the season. Sundowns are very involved in all the various competitions, especially league and African Champions Cup. But his performances have warranted a move abroad. Obviously, his aspiration has always been to play at the highest level. From a South African perspective, he has achieved that playing at Sundowns and (after) achieving the success he has at the club, we are all confident that come July and the next transfer window, if the right opportunity arises, Sundowns won't stand in the player's way and (will) give the player the opportunity to fulfill his dream abroad," his agent, Glyn Binkin, told Soccer Laduma.
The Siya crew reported that French Ligue 1 giants Monaco and English Premiership outfit Bournemouth are chasing the player's signature, but neither party have made their interest public. For their part, Mokoena's camp has kept the identity of the clubs under wraps. According to Binkin, it is unclear whether direct contact has been made with Sundowns, though he has confirmed a number of clubs have reached out to him.
"I'm not sure about the club (Sundowns) themselves, but from the player's perspective, I have had a number of calls and, as I've said, I've said the same thing to everybody, the player's still under contract till June 2026. So, there's a long-term contract still at Sundowns and that's where we are focused at the moment and Tebza will focus on that. He won't lose concentration and I'll do what I do best, which is look after the player's interests off the field of play. Tebza will focus on the field and I'll focus off the field," he explained.
The Chloorkop-based outfit, thanks to their financial muscle, have made it clear that they are not a selling club, and for a side with such lofty ambitions, they are keen to hold onto their best players. This publication understands that there is no European buy-out clause in Mokoena's Downs deal as there was in his contract with SuperSport United. However, the player's representatives have confirmed that there is a verbal agreement in place with the Brazilians that he would like to continue his career abroad if the move makes sense for all parties involved. As things stand, the club will have the final say on the player. As reported by the Siya crew, they have the player tied down to a long-term contract, which is set to expire in June 2026. Meaning that for any club to land Mokoena, they would have to fork out handsomely to do so.
What Are The Facts?
Mokoena's stock has rapidly risen over the last five years or so. Despite initially struggling at the star-studded outfit, he has put in tireless work to establish himself as a key cog in the Brazilians' arsenal and similarly with the national team, where he has become a mainstay. In just 12 months, he was crowned the PSL Player of the Season, PSL Midfielder of the Season, won the inaugural African Football League title and played a pivotal part in Bafana Bafana's third-place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations. With a resume that impressive, it is little wonder that the former Matsatsantsa man is being chased by a number of clubs around Europe. History has dictated that Sundowns hardly ever sell their players, but when they do, it is usually big transfers as in the case of Percy Tau to Brighton Hove Albion, Bongani Zungu to Guimaraes, Keagan Dolly to Montpellier and, more recently, Cassius Mailula to Toronto FC. The club's head coach, Rhulani Mokwena, has maintained that they are not a selling club after right back Khuliso Mudau was linked with a European move of his own.
"We are not a selling club, and that's very clear. But the human being in me understands that life is about growth and there are targets. It's the same way I dealt with Cassius Mailula's situation. As difficult as it was for us to let go of Cassius, when there are big opportunities and a possibility for growth, that makes sense for all parties involved, Sundowns included," he recently told the media.
The Story Behind The Scenes
No European buy-out clause
During his time with SuperSport, the midfielder boasted a buyout clause of around R12 million, which European clubs were not willing to meet, according to his representative.
"From Tebza's perspective, when he was at SuperSport and European clubs thought that the price of €600 000 (±R12.3 million), which was the buy-out clause in the SuperSport contract at the time, was expensive, I always said to them then that anyone who pays that will get their money back ten-fold in a couple of years," Binkin told Soccer Laduma.
"He's certainly shown with his performances on the field that his value is worth what any club is prepared to pay. From a buy-out perspective, we don't have any buy-out clause in his contract with Sundowns. But the player told Sundowns from the onset that whilst he's focused on Sundowns and South Africa, his ultimate destination is to play football at the highest level. So, they are aware of that from the onset. Obviously, they are not just gonna let the player walk away for nothing. But if the right offer comes … I've been assured by the club that if the offer is right for the player and the club, they won't stand in his way."
Based on just how much his stock has risen, you can expect the Tshwane giants to demand the highest possible transfer fee for their player. That – and the fact that he has two-and-a-half years left on his current contract, which expires in June 2026.
Which league would suit him best?
The Bethlehem-born star, as reported by the Siya crew, has interest from England and France from two clubs who could possibly meet Sundowns' evaluation of him. But which league would suit him best? This is no issue for the player's camp, who are confident that he can ply his trade in any league in the world.
"Look, Tebza has shown in the Cup of Nations that he can mix it up with the best in the world. He has the robustness, which has developed over the last year probably, particularly in his game, and he's had to develop that, especially in Africa and also, he has the finesse to play. I'm sure you saw the fine passes and the good eye that he had in threading the ball through to his teammates – and so he has that as well. So, I have no doubt that he can play in any league in the world."
Crucial period ahead…
Both Mokoena's coach and his representative have reiterated the importance of the next six months. The six-time consecutive league champions are competing on a number of fronts both domestically and abroad, while Bafana Bafana will switch their attention to 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, in which the midfielder is expected to play a big part.
"What he's done up to now is part and parcel of the drive that that he needs to show over the next six months, and it's (an) important six month for Sundowns. They need to try and win the CAF Champions League. They also need to do well on the domestic front. They are obviously doing really well in the league at the moment and also have the African Football League coming up, and Bafana has a number of games coming up as well, so it's no use resting on his laurels after what he's achieved in the Africa Cup of Nations. He needs to continue to work hard. But I know Tebza is the type of character that he is, I have no doubt that he'll continue to work hard and showcase what he's able to do both for club and for country, and hopefully earn himself a move aboard," Binkin said.
His sentiments were echoed by Mokwena, who has urged his players to fully focus on the next six months, which is crucial to the success of the club this season.
"The good thing about this is that for the next six months, all of us – myself included, Tebza, 'Mshishi' (Themba Zwane), Ronza (Ronwen Williams), Gaston Sirino, Bongani Zungu, Sipho Mbule – are committed to making sure that we are gonna be here until the end of the season, that's for sure," he said in a Radio2000 interview.
"That means that everybody's got to be invested and give 150% while they are still at the club. Fortunately, that is our immediate focus and that we have our players coming back, the window is closed, so there can't be any movements in and out anymore.
"So, as the ones that are at the club, we've got a responsibility to do everything we can to make sure the club achieves its objectives and that's the fortunate part about the situation of the very good performances at Afcon," he concluded.
