Orlando Pirates will try their utmost to keep hold of Patrick Maswanganyi.
However, the 26-year-old is reportedly fixated on a return to Europe, which has piqued the interest of former club UD Oliveirense.
The attacking midfielder spent much of his youth career at Oliveirense before returning to South Africa, meaning a move back to Portugal would be a welcomed reunion for the reigning PSL Player of the Year.
According to reports, Orlando Pirates, who would love nothing more than to keep Maswanganyi, will not entertain bids less than R40 million.
“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.
“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.”
Old coach says he’s been waiting
Maswanganyi’s former Stars of Africa mentor, Farouk Khan, suggested the player’s readiness to move abroad months ago, saying, “Tito 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.”
Should Orlando Pirates try keep him at all costs?
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