"It is Sunderland" — Black Cats credited with interest in 24-year-old South African midfielder

01/06/2025 08:31 AM

Silly season has started! Reports from South Africa are claiming that Sunderland have scouted a 24-year-old South African midfielder who plays for Orlando Pirates.

Sunderland have been credited with an interest in South African international midfielder Thalente Mbatha, according to reports.

Soccer Laduma quote a source who claims Sunderland have been scouting the 24-year-old during Orlando Pirates' African Champions League games and at international level for Bafana Bafana:

It is Sunderland. That's the team that has shown interest in Thalente. Their African scouts have been monitoring his performance mainly in the CAF Champions League games and when he plays for Bafana Bafana. So yes, it will all depend on what Sunderland say about him going forward but they are the ones who have shown the interest in him.

Of course, he could go for more money if the enquiry comes from a team playing in the higher league whether it's in England or other Europe countries as long as it's a top tier club in whichever country he is wanted.

The report goes on to say that the central midfielder would be available for around R20m (£850,000), with Soccer Laduma speaking to his agent who bluntly poured cold water on the reports.

To be honest, this is not true.

Mbatha has played 20 games in all competitions this season for the Pirates and has scored 3 goals and has featured four times for South Africa during the current African Cup of Nations qualifying round, scoring twice.