Despite foreign reports linking one of Africa's top strikers to the club, Mamelodi Sundowns insiders have refuted claims that they are looking at luring him to Chloorkop.
The striker is Fiston Mayele of CAF Champions League winners Pyramids FC, who was on the wanted list of both Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, but the Brazilians appear to be distancing themselves from him.
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A specialist close to Sundowns' recruitment department has indicated that the Brazilians are happy with their current strikers and are not looking at another one in this window period.
"No. Not at all. Sundowns are not interested in Fiston Mayele at all. They are happy with the strikers they have at the moment. Apparently those who recruit players for Sundowns feel that he is a bit old to join Sundowns now and also his style doesn't fit that of Sundowns. So, from what I know from the club, there is no interest in Mayele. That I can tell you. Maybe there are people who want him to play for Sundowns but not the club," the source told Soccer Laduma.
A confidant with intimate knowledge of Sundowns' squad planning stated that the club believes that if they need a new striker, they would rather keep Lebo Mothiba when his contract expires at the end of the month.
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"Sundowns believe that instead of signing a new striker they would rather have Lebo extend his contract. It's unfortunate he was coming from a long layoff due to injury and he hadn't played much but they know he is good and they would rather keep him instead of signing Mayele," the second source told the Siya crew.
Currently, Sundowns have five forwards on their books in Peter Shalulile, Iqraam Rayners, Lucas Ribeiro Costa, Arthur Sales, and Lebo Mothiba.
Soccer Laduma contacted Sundowns for comment on the issue but there was no response at the time of publishing this story.
Meanwhile, Sundowns' satisfaction with their current striking options suggests confidence in their existing firepower as they prepare to build on their recent Club World Cup experience where Mothiba is slowly making his way in the team.
The Brazilians lost 4-3 against Dortmund in their second group match on Saturday, after beating Ulsan 1-0 last week. Sundowns next take on Fluminense on Wednesday.
