Wydad Casablanca are believed to have decided to halt their pursuit of Mamelodi Sundowns star attacker Thembinkosi Lorch.
The Moroccan giants had been heavily linked with the South African winger in recent weeks.
Lorch, a Bloemfontein native, joined the record Botola Pro champions midway through the 2024/25 campaign, brought in by head coach Rulani Mokwena.
His performances during the second half of the season seemingly won over the club’s faithful, with his standout showings at the FIFA Club World Cup earning him further admiration.
The 31-year-old impressed against Manchester City, Juventus, and Al Ain, notably scoring in the second group-stage clash against the Italian giants.
It was reportedly those displays in the United States that prompted Wydad to fast-track negotiations for his permanent acquisition, with talks said to be progressing well between the Moroccan club and Mamelodi Sundowns.
However, according to Kooora, the Red Castle have now abandoned their pursuit of the former Orlando Pirates talisman after failing to meet Sundowns’ asking price.
The three-time CAF Champions League winners are now believed to be exploring alternative options, with AS Maniema central midfielder Joseph Bakasu identified as a potential next signing.
According to KickOff, Masandawana had set a purchase clause of around €500,000 (approximately R10 million), a figure Wydad were reportedly willing to meet.
However, after Lorch’s standout performances on the global stage, it was claimed that Downs had reportedly doubled their asking price to €1 million (around R20 million), aiming to capitalise on the former Orlando Pirates star.
