Downs’ De Reuck signing – what about Ngcobo?

Sundowns finally signed Rushine De Reuck, one of their long-term targets, before the transfer window slammed shut earlier this month.

Although everyone has a price, it’s unlikely that Swallows would have agreed to sell Ngcobo to the Brazilians at the halfway mark of their first season back in the topflight, while Maritzburg United needed to balance their books.

Were it another team that had signed a player of De Reuck’s quality, adding him to an already strong squad, it would be easy to assume that their search for a centre-back is over.

But this is Sundowns – you can’t rule them out of recruiting two more players in the same position just months apart.

The Brazilians released Wayne Arendse at the end of last year and the tragic death of Motjeka Madisha meant that they were always going to be looking to add to their roster in that department, especially with their participation in the CAF Champions League and the likelihood that players can be ruled out with COVID-19 at any time.

Downs have had to field makeshift defenders in some of their recent games due to injuries and the virus, and that is an indication that they probably still need to beef up.

The Siya crew understands that Ngcobo is one of their targets, but there have been no talks between the two clubs, while Amakhosi have already begun discussing a possible transfer with the Dube Birds.

Downs have big pockets and are always willing to spend – so if it is money that Swallows is after, then the Brazilians could hijack Chiefs’ plans.