AmaZulu have dramatically emerged as favourites for the signature of Bafana Bafana and Maritzburg United defender Bonginkosi Makume, KickOff understands.
The 27-year-old centre-back is among several names expected to part ways with the KwaZulu-Natal-based outfit following the club's relegation to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
KickOff now has it on good authority that AmaZulu have leap-frogged several DStv Premiership suitors including Chippa United and Moroka Swallows, who have been monitoring the player's situation.
READ | AmaZulu make major coaching changes, release 11 players
The centre-back has long been a target for the Durban-based outfit, who saw a formal bid for the player turned down by Baroka in 2022.
At the time, Makume was one of the most sought-after defenders, having collected as many as five Man of the Match awards in 20 appearances for Baroka.
Since then, the defender joined the Team of Choice, putting pen to paper on a three-year deal and made 29 appearances during the 22/23 season.
Sources close to proceedings have described the deal is "very likely" and that it would be "mutually beneficial" to all parties as Maritzburg are acutely aware of the need to sell, but will only do so for a satisfactory fee, as well as AmaZulu, who are looking replenish the squad after parting ways with as many as 11 players.
The player's representative was unwilling to provide comment when approached by this publication.
"Look, at the moment Bonginkosi [Makume] is fully focused on the national team. After that and if there's something official, it will be communicated then. Right now there is nothing to say," Mpho Machaba of G and Q Management told KickOff.
ALSO READ | More exits expected at Maritzburg
The Pietermaritzburg-based side has already parted ways with Travis Graham, Bradley Cross, Wayde Jooste and Ali Meza among others.
Karim Kimvuidi, Genino Palace and Rowan Human are more names United are expected cash in on during this window. Makume is on national team duty for Bafana Bafana in the Cosafa Cup currently underway in Durban.
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