Orlando Pirates’ Maswanganyi in talks with European Club!
Orlando Pirates could be about to part ways with reigning Player of the Season Patrick Maswanganyi. Here’s the latest.
Orlando Pirates star Patrick Maswanganyi is closing in on a deal with Portuguese outfit UD Oliveirense.
The 26-year-old is reportedly eager to take on Europe and is close to getting his wish as negotiations begin to ramp up.
“It’s no longer just about an inquiry, it’s about negotiations now,” a Siya source confirmed.
“They really want him back in Portugal. They are looking at the progress he has made and they are happy to bring him back to Portugal. It will all depend on what Pirates are looking at or if UD Oliveirense can afford what Pirates will be asking for Maswanganyi.”
It remains unclear whether the LibaPro side will match Orlando Pirates’ R40 million asking price, which could become pivotal to whether the transfer occurs.
“The only issue that is there now is the R40 million that the club has put on Maswanganyi’s head. You know he is one of the best players now in the country and if the club wants that amount then UD Oliveirense should meet or make it even better than that. But since they are believed to have opened up negotiations then it will all depend on their offer that they table to Pirates.”
He wants to go
According to Maswanganyi’s Stars of Africa Academy mentor, Farouk Khan, the Orlando Pirates maestro ‘is ready for Europe.’
“Even himself as a player, he really wants to play there. You know if Orlando Pirates can allow him to go then it won’t benefit only Pirates from the sale but also the player himself and the country. He could have stayed longer in Portugal, but he was impatient that time,
“You know many players from Brazil, Argentina, and most other African countries use Portugal as a springboard to bigger leagues in Europe and he could have been patient then things could have worked out for him that time. But nothing is lost. He can still go now and make it big. He is ready for Europe.”
Who can Orlando Pirates replace Maswanganyi with?
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