Just a week into his new position at United Arab Emirates Pro League club Al Wahda, Pitso Mosimane is set to raid his former side Mamelodi Sundowns ahead of completing a number of signings.
Mosimane has joined Al Wahda from across the border in Saudi Arabia where he guided Al Ahli promotion back into the Saudi Pro League before being given a cold shoulder over a fresh contract.
READ | Another Sundowns star set for exit
The 58-year-old has taken over at Al Wahda with slightly better control over signings than he did at Al Ahli and in his list of targets has placed Gaston Leandro Rodriguez Sirino as a priority.
Sirino was signed by Sundowns from Bolivar La Paz (Bolivia) in January 2018 while Mosimane was still in charge at Chloorkop.
Through his time at Sundowns, Sirino has acquired South African permanent residency which qualifies him for Bafana Bafana selection having never played for his homeland Uruguay before.
Uruguay are two-time World champions who have averaged a top 10 FIFA ranking since 2010 and have most of their players attached to top European clubs giving Sirino no chance of being considered for the national team.
The 32-year-old completed five years in the country in January making him eligible for Bafana with his club coach Rulani Mokwena stressing that the naturalisation of good players shouldn't be of surprise to South Africans.
At the 2022 World Cup, as many as 136 players represented countries other than the one where they were born.
For now, the fresh news on Sirino is that Mosimane has revived his interest in the Uruguayan.
Sirino was wanted by Egyptian heavyweights Al Ahly prior to Mosimane taking over and the interest continued into the former Bafana Bafana coach's stay in Cairo.
In the end a deal couldn't be struck after Sirino penned a new deal at Sundowns.
However, the prospects of improving his earnings in the Middle East will tempt Sirino again.
Authoritative sources in the Middle East have told this website that Mosimane has informed Al Wadha that he needs Sirino.
The next stage is for Al Wahda for table their offer to Sundowns – who have also brought in another South American attacking midfielder Junior Mendieta with the prospect of Sirino leaving in mind.
It is expected that Sundowns will be open to listening to the offer.
Sirino featured in 27 games last season and scored thrice (plus five assists).
Al Wadha will get going in the group stages of the 2023 King Salman Club Cup (Arab Club Champions Cup) on July 28.
The Gulf Region market has used its financial powers to attract top players in recent months with Saudi Arabia the prime destination while neighbouring UAE is also upping its game.
Orlando Pirates star man Monnapule Saleng has standing interested from Al Nasr in the United Arab Emirates though The Bucs have so far stood their ground in that they are not keen to cash in on their top scorer just as yet.
Saleng has been identified as a target after a standout performer for Pirates in the 2022/23 season scoring 15 goals (plus 11 assists) in 30 appearances spread across all competitions.
It was Saleng's first season at Pirates having spent the previous campaign away on loan at Swallows FC after being signed from Free State Stars.
However, with football being business and money the dictator the door is not entirely closed.
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