The story behind the scenes

Pirates will make the final call

Lorch’s contract details may not be out in the open, but the Siya crew has it on good authority that he remains tied to the club for two more years, at least!

A source close to the player described attempts by Downs, or any club for that matter, to try sign the attacker as “complicated”.

The insider suggested Lorch is extremely unsettled at Pirates and has even gone as far as asking to be released at the end of the season.

It wouldn’t be the first time that he Bafana Bafana star has pushed for a move.

Siya sources informed the crew in 2019 that there was a multi-million offer from abroad, with Belgian sides Royal Union Saint-Gilloise and Club Brugge as well French Ligue 1 outfits Dijon Football Cote d’Or and Toulouse FC all keen.

Indications are that Pirates rejected the bid, which, if the offer was legitimate, proves that the club is completely in control.

According to Siya sources, Lorch is contracted to the Buccaneers at least until June 2023 and information reaching the crew is that this is on the back of a twoyear option that was triggered by the club recently.

Given what the Siya crew has been told, the player will only leave on Pirates’ terms or when he becomes a free agent and is able to sign a pre-contract with a club of his choice in January 2023.

Chiefs rumours rubbished

Earlier this year, Amakhosi fans began discussing the “imminent” arrival of Lorch at Naturena.

With Chiefs banned by FIFA from signing players until July this year, the club has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to identify targets, and supporters believed that Lorch was crossing over from one Soweto giant to another.

The Siya crew, however, investigated it further and the speculation was rubbished by high-ranking officials. They poured cold water on the suggestions and insisted that they were not worth entertaining in any form.

Even if Chiefs were interested in Lorch, the deal would involve a massive fee between the two sides, especially when considering the quality of the player in question and what he has achieved at Pirates over the years.

It’s not out of the realms of possibility – Pirates players have moved to Chiefs and vice versa in the PSL era, but it’s very rare.

Sundowns could make the most financial sense

According to reliable Siya sources, the Buccaneers have an internal salary cap and it could be that Lorch is keen on an improved offer.

Two years ago after winning the Footballer of the Season award would have been an ideal time to pursue his European dream, with a lucrative offer on the cards then.

But now that he is turning 28 in July, that door is fast closing because he is a relatively unknown player in Europe, which makes it unlikely that he would seal a big-money contract, more so in a prominent league.

If it’s about the money, then Sundowns are no doubt the viable option and a player of his stature is almost guaranteed to cash in.

Indications are that Lorch, who signed for Pirates from the lower division six years ago and was loaned out twice, isn’t in the highest salary bracket at the club.

With an internal salary cap, it’s possible he feels he has reached his threshold and is looking at a new challenge that comes with a lucrative purse.

Sundowns could offer him a lucrative contract…