Wydad Athletic Club face a slight hurdle with the club reportedly eager to find a way to retain South African striker Cassius Mailula beyond his current one-season loan from Major League Soccer's Toronto FC.
The 23-year-old has impressed during his time with the Moroccan club, scoring three goals and providing six assists in 23 appearances. However, the focus is now shifting to his potential permanent transfer, with discussions surrounding the reported $700,000 (±R12 million) buyout clause in his contract.
Mailula, contracted to Toronto FC until 2027 after signing a four-year deal in 2023, has been an integral part of Wydad's attack, and the club is keen to keep him for the long term.
However, the reported buyout clause of $700,000 (±R12 million) could present a significant hurdle for Wydad, who are looking for ways to negotiate a more favourable deal with Toronto.
The Moroccan club is hopeful that they can lower the buyout price in order to secure Mailula's future at the club.
The timing of these discussions is crucial, as Wydad are preparing for the Club World Cup finals in the United States, where they face tough competition from teams like Manchester City, Juventus and Al Ain.
As the club works to find a solution, the $700,000 (±R12 million) buyout clause stands as the primary obstacle.
Wydad's officials are reportedly exploring options to lower this amount, with the hope of reaching an agreement that would see Mailula stay in Morocco for the foreseeable future.
