With Qatar SC reported to have shown serious interest in Mamelodi Sundowns forward Lucas Ribeiro Costa, who has threatened terminate his contract, Soccer Laduma analyses whether the destination would make sense for Sundowns.
Sundowns regard themselves as a global football team and for them to sell their players, it has to make economic and football sense.
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Costa has accused the Brazilians of overpricing him in the transfer market, with Qatar SC reported to have been one of the leading teams who submitted bids that were rejected by the Tshwane giants.
Masandawana could view the Stars League outfit as inferior to them, whose squad has a total market valuation of €12 million (R247 million), almost three times smaller, compared to Sundowns, whose squad is valued at €32.6 m (R672m).
The highest valued Qatar player Joao Pedro, weighted €3.8 million (R78m), more than any other player at the Tshwane giants, although the Brazilian sits on alone on that lofty valuation.
With the second and third highest-valued players Lukas Kalvach and Faiz Selemani reportedly worth €2m (R41m) and €1.5m (R30m), respectively.
None of the aforementioned three players have played for any big club in Europe, which shows the Qatar Stars League has not yet attracted the best players of the world, even in the twilight of their careers.
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In comparison, Costa is the highest-valued player at Sundowns, rated at €2.5m (R51.4m), followed by Teboho Mokoena and Marcelo Allende, both weighted €2.3m (R47.3m).
Masandawana would most likely want to set the standard for future transfers, to reputable teams, whether in Europe or emerging markets such as America and Saudi Arabia.
With Costa only 26 years of age, the Brazilians would presumably be entitled to ensure they recoup the investment they made to the Brazilian, who was playing in the second division in Belgium three seasons ago.
*market valuation by transfer website Transfermarkt before the FIFA Club World Cup
