News from Orlando Pirates indicates that midfielder Patrick "Tito" Maswanganyi has garnered renewed interest from his former club, Portuguese side UD Oliveirense.
As previously reported by Soccer Laduma, the Portuguese club had already initiated contact with the Buccaneers recently.
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The latest development is that Oliveirense have now intensified its pursuit of the former Stars of Africa Academy graduate, currently in excellent form with Bucs.
Insiders close to both the club and the player added that UD Oliveirense are very keen to bring Maswanganyi back to Portugal, following Bucs' estimation that his price tag is likely to be around R40 million.
"It's no longer just about an inquiry. It's about negotiations now. They really want him back in Portugal. They are looking at the progress he has made and they are happy to bring him back to Portugal. It will all depend on what Pirates are looking at or if UD Oliveirense can afford what Pirates will be asking for Maswanganyi," the Siya source stated.
A second insider mentioned that UD Oliveirense must meet or exceed the R40 million evaluation set by Pirates to secure Maswanganyi's transfer.
"The only issue that is there now is the R40m that the club has put on Maswanganyi's head. You know he is one of the best players now in the country (of South Africa) and if the club wants that amount then UD Oliveirense should meet that or make it even better than that. But since they are believed to have opened up negotiations then it will all depend on their offer that they table to Pirates," the second source stated.
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Tito had joined Bucs last season from SuperSport United after returning from Portugal. The 26-year-old had enjoyed an impressive campaign last season, winning the Players' Player of the Season and Midfielder of the Season awards, after contributing consistently with appearances and goals.
This season, he is promising to boast an even better performance, having also broken through in style for the South Africa national team, Bafana Bafana.
Soccer Laduma contacted Pirates for comment but the club had not responded by the time this report was published.
