Mamelodi Sundowns last week finally announced the signing of youngster Thapelo Maseko from Tshwane neighbours SuperSport United. The deal, understood to be over a five-year period with options, was yet again among the expensive transactions by the Brazilians to date – the Siya crew reported the move is around R20 million.
It included Grant Margeman switching to SuperSport on a permanent basis following his loan spell there last season, while striker Etiosa Ighodaro also joined Matsatsantsa, although his transfer is only for the 2023/24 campaign.
Soccer Laduma has now established that Downs have not added a buy-out clause to Maseko's contract even though the potential he could move abroad is a high possibility considering his talent. The 20-year-old had offers from Belgian topflight side KV Westerlo rejected by SuperSport, who felt all three bids submitted were below their valuation of the Bafana Bafana international at the time.
A clause of this nature would have given Maseko guarantees that Downs would not stand in his way should another blockbuster offer from Europe come along, so as things stand, the agreement suggests any suitor would have to part ways with large sums of money to make the transfer happen.
The Brazilians were still in negotiations with Toronto FC from the Major League Soccer in the USA, who are keen on forward Cassius Mailula, at the time of going to press. The DStv Premiership side issued a statement last week revealing the interest in Mailula and telling the public the club supported the move, which is reported to be in the region of R30 million.
Maseko will be hoping for a similar approach should another offer come his way from overseas while he is a Downs player.
Would it have been better for Maseko to move overseas first?
