Behind the scenes, Mamelodi Sundowns are working tirelessly to find a replacement for their former Uruguayan star, Gaston Sirino.
After Sirino’s departure to join their fierce rivals, Kaizer Chiefs, at the end of last season, the club has been busy exploring their options for a new attacking midfielder.
Sirino’s Legacy at Sundowns
Gaston Sirino left a significant mark during his time with Mamelodi Sundowns.
Over his 200 appearances, the talented midfielder managed to score 41 goals and assisted in 44 others.
His departure has left a big gap in Sundowns’ attacking play, and they’re determined to find the right player to fill his shoes.
Eyeing Feisal Salum as the Next Big Signing
The latest whispers in the football world suggest that Sundowns may have already set their sights on Sirino’s successor.
Reports indicate that the club is in talks with Tanzanian side Azam FC over the possibility of signing 26-year-old versatile midfielder Feisal Salum.
The buzz is that Sundowns are preparing a fresh offer after their initial R32 million bid was turned down by Azam FC.
Sundowns Preparing a Stronger Bid
According to an insider, negotiations are still ongoing, and Sundowns are expected to present a higher offer to secure Salum’s services.
“Azam values Feisal highly, and they weren’t willing to accept R32 million.
However, Sundowns are still keen, and the next offer could be much more attractive,” the source revealed.
Sundowns are determined to bring Salum onboard and are confident that their upcoming offer will reflect his worth in the transfer market.
Kaizer Chiefs’ Rollercoaster Transfer Window
Meanwhile, on the other side of the football rivalry, Kaizer Chiefs have experienced a mix of success and disappointment during the recent transfer window.
While they made significant strides by signing the highly-regarded Tunisian coach, Nasreddine Nabi, they also struggled to secure some of their key targets.
One notable failure was their attempt to sign Stellenbosch FC’s star striker, Iqraam Rayners.
Despite making an approach, Chiefs were turned down by the Cape Town-based club, who had placed a ‘Not for Sale’ tag on Rayners.
Rayners’ Surprise Move to Sundowns
To add to Chiefs’ woes, Rayners ended up joining their rivals, Mamelodi Sundowns, despite their efforts to keep him at Stellenbosch.
An insider close to the deal commented, “Nabi really wanted Rayners, but Sundowns made an offer that Stellenbosch couldn’t refuse.”
Rayners has already started to make his presence felt at Sundowns, having scored four goals and provided four assists so far this season.
What’s Next for Sundowns and Chiefs?
As the dust settles on the transfer window, both Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs will look ahead to their upcoming fixtures with a renewed sense of competition.
With Sundowns still in pursuit of Feisal Salum and Chiefs adjusting to life under their new coach, the stage is set for an exciting season ahead in South African football.
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