Can Sundowns hold on to Peter?

...big sharks circle 20-goal Shalulile

Fresh from scoring his 20th goal for the season in all competitions for Mamelodi Sundowns, news has emerged that several international teams have intensified their pursuit of Namibia's red-hot striker, Peter Shalulile.

The Sundowns marksman, prior to his team's game against Al Hilal on Saturday, 19 March in the Caf Champions League, scored his 20th goal of the season against Al Ahly.

That saw him joining Sundowns' legend Daniel `Mambush' Mudau in being a player that has now scored 20 goals for `The Brazilians' in two consecutive seasons.

Last season, Shalulile managed 22 goals in all competitions, a target he appears likely to surpass in the next few games. His heroics in the previous campaign saw him win numerous individual awards, including Player of the Season.

He narrowly missed out on being the top scorer in the DStv Premiership, missing out on that award by a single goal to SuperSport United's Bradley Grobler, who had 16 goals to his name.

This time around, Shalulile has already matched his overall tally in the league and with 15 goals is way out in front on the scoring charts.

Lurking

Shalulile's exploits has seen some clubs from around the world lurking to see if they can lure the Sundowns frontman with a move away from `Abafana BaStyle'.

The Namibian is said to be happy at the Chloorkopbased side, with his focus` firmly on helping the club defend their DStv Premiership title, while he has been adamant that he desires to win the Caf Champions League with the club.

He, similarly, does not have a problem with the technical team led by Manqoba Mnqithi and Rulani Mokwena, and his relationship with his teammates has been nothing but exceptional.

But while Shalulile is content on being part of the Sundowns set-up, rumours suggest interest from clubs outside of South Africa has reached fever pitch, with his agent now having to work overtime to keep `the sharks' at bay. According to a source close to Shalulile, a representative from a top club from the Middle East met the player's father recently. This was reportedly done in an effort to try and use the father's influence to convince the player's representative to aid in transfer of the Namibian to the Middle East at the end of the current season.

“But he is still on the books of Sundowns, and I will discuss Peter's future with Sundowns very soon. Peter loves Sundowns, and he is very happy there. l'm also aware that there are a lot of people who want to see Peter elsewhere.”

Contacted for information Shalulile's agent, Jakes Amaning, admitted that “some clubs have shown interest in Peter”.

“But he is still on the books of Sundowns, and I will discuss Peter's future with Sundowns very soon. Peter loves Sundowns, and he is very happy there. l'm also aware that there are a lot of people who want to see Peter elsewhere,” he states. Every player has a dream of playing in Europe. Peter Shalulie is no differrent, and it is expected for him to want to play against the best in the world.

As things stand, it appears Sundowns will have to renegotiate Shalulile's deal and pay him top dollars, or they might see their top goal scorer in Europe or the Middle East very soon.