Before Thembinkosi Lorch left for Mamelodi Sundowns, there was another Orlando Pirates star who could have departed the club, and the Siya crew investigates the latest developments on his future.
Lorch's former teammate and close friend Monnapule Saleng could have left Pirates on loan during the January Transfer Window, as reported by Soccer Laduma.
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With the Brazilians getting their man, Lorch, the need for Saleng in the Pirates squad becomes more important. Siya sources have indicated that the former Free State Stars man is close to agreeing a new two-year deal with a one-year option as an extension at Pirates.
The source adds how Saleng's current contract expires on June 30 this year, and that a potential new deal could run until 30 June 2027.
"Even though Saleng is one of the players that the team was planning to loan out or even sell but now they have agreed on a new deal. His current contract is expiring this year so they can't afford to let him go either on a free or on the cheap. So, this new contract will help the team benefit the player if it happens, that he moves from another club whether locally or to Europe," said the Siya source.
"This is a good move mainly for the team," the source said, reminding fans that Bucs now value what the player can offer going forward.
"This is to show that they still believe and hope he can rediscover his form. Even when they wanted to loan him it's because they still believed in him and this new contract will give him the chance also to bounce back and reclaim his place in the team.
"The new two-year deal is as good as done because all the parties are happy with the details and that's why they have agreed on it as it stands," the source observed.
Despite winning the Players' Player of the Season award last season, Saleng hasn't even come close to reciprocating that form this season and is no longer the first name on the team sheet.
Soccer Laduma contacted Pirates for comment but no response was received by the time this story was published.
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