"Mathoho is still number one on our wish list," said Amakhosi general manager Bobby Motaung.
He said Chiefs had approached Celtic directly with the offer.
"Whether it is this week, next month or even next year, we want the player to come to Chiefs. I hope Celtic will come back with a positive response. His jersey is waiting for him in Naturena," said Motaung.
Sowetan has learnt that free-spending Mamelodi Sundowns are also after Mathoho's signature.
The lanky Bafana defender is reported to have told Celtic bosses to forget about taking him to Chloorkop, saying he wanted to go to Naturena where he believes he will get regular game time.
Celtic chief executive Khumbulani Konco said: "At the moment Mathoho is still our player, we will release him as soon as we find a replacement."