Good news for the Kaizer Chiefs & Orlando Pirates? Eric Tinkler cautions Sekhukhune United star Makgalwa amid growing transfer talk but insists, 'We will never stand in his way'

Sekhukhune United midfielder Keletso Makgalwa ended last season with six goals and 11 assists in 32 matches across all competitions.

That earned him nominations for the PSL Footballer of the Season award as well as the Players' Player of the Year.

His performances also sparked transfer rumours around the former Mamelodi Sundowns player, and his Sekhukhune coach, Eric Tinkler, suggests it is now affecting his game this season, but says the club will not block him from moving elsewhere.

"I think I've had that conversation; we've had that conversation a couple of times already. I tend to disagree. I don't think Keletso has done that well in the three games that he's played,” Tinkler said as per SABC Sport.

“First game yes, he had an assist but that was from a corner but he hasn't really created many opportunities for himself or for others in these last two matches. 

“There's always those rumours especially after having been elected Player of the Season, most assists, blah, blah, blah but a lot of that comes down to the media. 

“Not always the media, sometimes it's actually more the agent that starts putting out that information and we've made Keletso aware that we'll never stand in his way of getting a better contract somewhere else but there needs to be an offer and there hasn't been. So, it's all talk," added the former Orlando Pirates coach.

"What he must be aware of is that he's a professional footballer, has a contract with Sekhukhune United and he needs to duplicate what he did last season because then people will take him more seriously. 

"Then it won't be just hearsay from the agent or from the press, then the clubs will be contacting Sekhukhune." 

This is a player who came through the ranks at Sundowns but failed to command regular football at the reigning Premier Soccer League champions.

That led to a number of loan stints at clubs like Maritzburg United, Moroka Swallows, TS Galaxy, All Stars and Upington City.

The midfielder has revived himself at Babina Noko, and it would not be surprising to see traditional giants like Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates moving in for him.

The PSL transfer window is open until September 22, and other competitive leagues in Africa are also having player movements, making Makgalwa's future at Sekhukhune not a guarantee.

But for now, the player is focused on Sunday's MTN8 semi-final, first-leg match against Stellenbosch as he seeks to continue with last season's form.