Mamelodi Sundowns' move to offer Ronwen Williams a new four-year deal could be the club's way of preparing for his possible departure, the Siya crew has learnt.
Just days after Williams revealed in an interview with CNN that he would be open to leaving Sundowns to pursue his dream of plying his trade at the highest level in Europe, the 32-year-old put pen to paper on a new deal that would keep him at the club until June 2028.
The move came as a surprise given that the goalkeeper's existing deal with the club was set to run to June 2025, with an option to extend for two further years.
But Siya sources in the know have indicated that the move by the Brazilians could well be a case of them preparing themselves for his eventual departure, ensuring that they fetch the highest possible price for their goalkeeper.
"Sundowns have done similar moves in the past, whenever one of their players move overseas, he always signs a new contract beforehand. It's not about the club wanting money – but it's showing that they have the same esteem as their European counterparts and how much the players are valued.
"If a move doesn't materialise, Williams will remain with the club but on a significantly higher package than the one he was on previously," a source said.
Williams has done himself a world of favours in his performances for both club and country over the last 12 months, particularly in the Africa Cup of Nations, the African Football League and the CAF Champions League, where he was outstanding between the posts, putting himself in the shop window.
What is certain is that Sundowns will demand the highest possible price for Williams having forked out over R20 million to land him from SuperSport United in 2022, and it now remains to be seen which European club will match Sundowns' evaluation of the player.
