Now, according to insiders close to both clubs and the player, Sundowns are making an improved offer to secure Salum's signature, but it's still far short of the buyout clause.
The sources added that Masandawana are believed to be significantly increasing their initial offer of R35 million to R70 million in a bid to persuade Azam to allow the Tanzanian to move to South Africa.
"As much as Azam FC are looking for R183 million for Feisal Salum, Sundowns are willing to go as far as R70 million. You know they had initially offered R35 million but it's believed that it was not enough to convince Azam and that's why apparently Sundowns have doubled that offer up to R70 million. Yes, Azam are asking for R183 million as their price but this could tempt them to accept the offer," the source told the Siya crew.
A second insider noted that Azam FC are open to discussions and might be willing to negotiate the price.
"Yes, the price tag could be R183 million but there could be negotiations which can change this. There could be other conditions or clauses added to the deal which could see Azam agree to a lesser offer than the one they have put up. And although it won't be easy, it's doable. So Sundowns could be in line to sign him," the second source revealed.
While Sundowns remain the favourites to sign Salum, the other PSL club linked with him, Kaizer Chiefs, are not out of the race.
Siya sources close to Chiefs have indicated that they are leveraging coach Nasreddine Nabi's experience and connections in Tanzanian football to pitch their case for Salum.
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"Chiefs haven't given up on Feisal Salum. They are working behind closed doors on how they can beat Sundowns to his signature and the relationship coach Nabi and Cedric Kaze have with the player and the clubs in Tanzania could work to their advantage and they want to use that as well but they are not giving up," the third source told Soccer Laduma.
Despite significant interest from both PSL clubs, Azam's asking price for teams outside Tanzania remains far from whatever the South African teams may be willing to bid. Only time will tell if Sundowns' reported R70 million offer, or Chiefs' behind-the-scenes strategy, will be enough to secure the coveted midfielder.
Soccer Laduma reached out to Sundowns for comment on the amount they are willing to offer, but no response was received at the time of publishing.
