What the Siya crew has been told…

With the future in mind, Mamelodi Sundowns have unsurprisingly cast their eye on SuperSport United’s promising duo, Shandre Campbell and Ime Okon.

Early last month, the Siya crew reported that the Tshwane giants were tracking Campbell. Now, a second independent source has revealed that Okon is another player that has caught the eye of the Brazilians.

This publication has since been informed that SuperSport are hoping to buck the trend of selling their best players to their neighbours and have instead eyed a European transfer for the two youngsters.

An independent source confirmed that Okon jetted out of the country at the start of the year where he spent some time training with Danish outfit Mitjylland.

Matsatsantsa CEO Stan Matthews has stated that a return to Europe could be on the cards for the 19-year-old at the end of the 2023/24 season, while a later date has been earmarked for Campbell.

While they haven’t inserted European buy-out clauses for the two players like they did with Sipho Mbule and Teboho Mokoena, SuperSport have placed themselves in a comfortable position by tying down both players to long-term contracts, which could go a long way in dictating the players’ futures.

Well-placed Siya sources have indicated that a move to Sundowns is unlikely at this point, despite the two clubs sharing a mutually beneficial relationship.

SuperSport, for all their desire to export players to the biggest leagues in Europe, have not done so for the better part of the last 12 years, with Bongani Khumalo’s transfer to Tottenham Hotspur their last massive bit of business with a European club.

Rather, they have done more business with Sundowns, a club that has the resources to not only produce higher offers than some of their European counterparts, but also boast a number of players that could entice SuperSport to sell.

Siya sources have indicated that Matsatsantsa are determined to find the best offers for their players, preferably in Europe, before considering any local moves.

On the back of Matthews’ comments, at the present moment, Europe is the primary objective for both players – but Sundowns and their deep pockets cannot be ruled out of the equation.