Orlando Pirates could be going back in for Bafana Bafana striker Bongokuhle "Bongi" Hlongwane, the Siya crew has been informed.
With Major League Soccer (MLS) now into their off season, clubs around the world are looking at bringing in certain players from the United States, either on loan or permanently.
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As previously reported by the Siya crew, Hlongwane had been linked to Bucs even before he left for America.
Sources close to Pirates have now indicated that talks could be ongoing between the two parties involved to see what is needed to bring him to Houghton.
"You know Bongi's contract at Minnesota United is coming to an end on the 31st of December 2023. Though his current team has a one-year option," said the Siya source.
"So, I can't say whether Pirates want him permanently or if they want him on loan for that three months or so. You know the team has wanted him before when he was still at Maritzburg United but the deal would not go through.
"They have talks with his representatives and it will depend on what they agree on or if they disagree. But for now, we can say it's almost there as talks are concerned," the source told the Siya crew.
Meanwhile a second Siya source added that a move to Pirates would help him keep his place in the South African national team, as we have seen that if player's abroad are not fielded regularly then coach Hugo Broos tends to leave them out of his squad, such as Toronto FC player Cassius Mailula.
"What I can tell you now is that Pirates are really interested in the striker. They want to add to their striking force. For now their main strikers are Zakhele Lepasa, Evidence Makgopa and Kermit Erasmus and that's why they want another striker who can add value to their team," said the second Siya source.
"But I can't say it's 100% done at the moment. The other reason they want him is to help him maintain his position in the national team because he can't be off season for those three months without playing.
"It won't be good for him nor for Bafana Bafana and that's the attraction to the player himself as well," the source concluded.
Soccer Laduma contacted Pirates for comment but no response was received while preparing this story.
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