Mamelodi Sundowns' versatile player Rivaldo Coetzee's future hangs in the balance at the club, insiders privy to information have noted to the Siya crew.
Siya sources have indicated that with Coetzee's contract nearing its end, talks between the former Bafana Bafana player and Sundowns have not started yet.
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This may be revealing in itself considering that the Brazilians have recently looked to act fast and tie down players with long contracts in advance, the way it's done in Europe.
On the other hand Downs' patience with Coetzee doesn't necessarily mean they will definitely let him go as he has a two-year option on this contract. This may be the very reason for their patience. Though, sources have added that the Brazilians may be contemplating life after his potential departure, and that his injury record could be a reason for that.
"His current contract is coming to an end in June and there are no talks yet about whether the team will renew it or just exercise the two-year option which will see him stay at the club until June 2026," said the Siya source.
"The technical team together with the Sporting Director will make that decision but as things stand now, his future hangs in the balance. He has been affected heavily by injuries and that's why apparently there has been no talks yet.
"It's believed they would like to either loan him out or release him if they don't agree on other issues. But yes, to tell you what I know, his future is in limbo," the source said.
A second Siya source stated that the other challenge that may be affecting a new deal is his salary.
"He is one of the players on a good salary but he has not been playing which according to team management doesn't make business sense and that's why they have delayed talks on a new deal or to exercise the option that the club has. You know his initial contract ends on June 30 and according to how Sundowns deal with their contracts he could have signed a new deal by now but there is nothing.
"They would rather cut down on his salary bill by releasing him or loaning him than keeping him with limited games to his name every season while getting a good salary at the end of the day," the source concluded.
After making his South Africa debut as a teenager, it feels as if Coetzee has been one of the most experienced players in the PSL, and he is surprisingly still 27 years of age.
For a player with his talent, it is disappointing that he has only played eight matches in this Premiership campaign, so the player himself may be looking at where he could get more game time and resurrect his international career.
A few years ago he was on the verge of joining Celtic in Scotland when a late injury spoiled the transfer. Since moving to Sundowns he has not lived up to his high expectations and hasn't even been able to get back into the Bafana squad.
Soccer Laduma contacted Sundowns and the club chose not to comment on Coetzee's future related to his injury record and potential contract renewal.
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