According to Siya sources, Mamelodi Sundowns will soon go into the market for centre-backs – but not just any, their age will be a factor this time.
While the Brazilians are still covered in that area by several quality players in Mothobi Mvala, Grant Kekana, Rivaldo Coetzee and Mosa Lebusa, it's believed internally that the time is now to start looking at their replacements.
Coetzee is the exception considering he is still only 27, but the rest are hitting the 30-year mark or, like Lebusa, are already over. The Siya crew has been led to believe this search for younger centre-backs is not urgent.
However, with sporting director Flemming Berg tasked with recruiting some of the best players in the Premier Soccer League and around the world, it's understood he will soon draw up a shortlist of candidates.
Soccer Laduma reported recently that Berg, a former global scout for Chelsea and talent manager for the Danish FA, has been told to spare no cost, hence Sundowns spent nearly R100 million signing attackers Tashreeq Matthews and Matias Esquivel in January.
Matthews was playing in Sweden, while Esquivel came from his home country of Argentina in a move that has further strengthened the Tshwane giants in comparison to their rivals.
There is also the option of promoting players from their reserve league side, but Sundowns haven't quite gone that route to look for regulars as they have preferred to go abroad like they did with Moroccan defender Abdelmounaim Boutouil.
