Pitso Mosimane: Gaston Sirino is crying for Al Ahly chance

Sundowns ended the long protracted transfer saga in December stating the two clubs were far about from agreeing on a valuation for the move.

Mosimane and Sirino have both not hid their desire to reunite in Cairo and the Red Devils coach has now offered further insight in the behind the scenes details surrounding the failed move for the Uruguayan playmaker.

"I spoke to the South American, the agent who gave us [Sundowns] Sirino. He suggested a few players. We are monitoring the players he has recommended‚" Mosimane told SAFJA.

"And we move on with Gaston Sirino. I mean‚ you have seen what he said, he has spoken straight and openly about missing out on the opportunity to play for the biggest club on the continent.

"I understand. We must remember‚ when I recruit‚ I do it with a vision and I tell the players that vision.

"And I told Sirino [when he joined Sundowns]‚ 'look‚ at your age'‚ because he came to South Africa aged 26‚ and said‚ 'and you have missed Europe‚ no doubt about that. So your chance is China‚ the Middle East or South Africa'.

"I said‚ 'at this point in time South Africa is giving you that opportunity. Come here and do well and when you play in the [Champions League]‚ in the [Club] World Cup‚ the Middle East will see you‚ and that's your future beyond Sundowns."

"I mean we all know the financial remunerations that are happening in football. Xavi left Barca to go there [manager of Qatar club Al Sadd]‚ [Andres] Iniesta left Barca to go to Asia. It's a no-brainer why everybody is going.

"It is the same situation for Gaston. That was the only part for him moving [to Sundowns]. From South America you go to the Middle East or South Africa‚ or China‚ or follow Dino Ndlovu's route especially when you are over 25‚ 26.

"Back home that education still needs to be there for players and even coaches. Once you're past 25 and you're still good you've got to make sure the contracts are right‚ because there are only a few years to go.

"So, unfortunately, Gaston is 29 now‚ he's going to 30. So I understand how he was reacting to say‚ 'I've got a chance to make a bit more for my family‚ and myself‚ because that might be my last contract'."

Aubrey Modiba - SuperSport United boss Stan Matthews has confirmed that the versatile left-sided player's move to Sundowns is done.

Luvuyo Phewa - This signing went under the radar, but Real Kings confirmed a deal with Sundowns for the former SA under-20 star. He has since been loaned to Chippa United.

Lesedi Kapinga - Black Leopards' most exciting player this year signed a pre-contract with Sundowns in January and was allowed to leave before the resumption of the 2019/20 season.

George Maluleka - 'Mido' signed a pre-contract with Mamelodi Sundowns in January and was then sidelined him from the team and allowed to leave for Chloorkop during lockdown.

Gift Motupa - Sundowns finally landed their long-time target during lockdown after missing out in past transfer windows.

Mothobi Mvala - The former SA under-23 star's move is a surprise considering the sheer volume of midfielders at Chloorkop. A quality signing Sundowns just could not pass up.

Peter Shalulile - The 16-goal Namibian striker has expressed his excitement about the move after Highlands Park was sold to Tim Sukazi.

Kermit Erasmus - Unveiled by Mamelodi Sundowns on a three-year deal.

Khuliso Mudau - The right-back has signed a five-year deal with Sundowns.

Haashim Domingo - The exciting Ajax Cape Town youth product was the second ex-Wits star to confirm to snl24.com/kickoff that he had joined Sundowns.

Grant Margeman - SA under-23 international midfielder Margeman was signed in 2019 and then sent to Ajax Cape Town for the 2019/20 season.

Jody February - February was signed from Ajax Cape Town in 2019 and then loaned to Cape Umoya United for the 2019/20 season.

Ricardo Goss - The goalkeeper was the first of three former Bidvest Wits players to indicate to this website that Sundowns had signed him.

Brian Onyango - The 26-year-old Kenyan defender was snapped up on a three-year deal after initially being unveiled by TTM.

Rushine De Reuck - The 25-year-old has been signed from Maritzburg United on a five-year deal.

While Ahly's pursuit for Sirino began before Moismane's historic move to Egypt he went on to defend the player who asked to leave the club just months after signing a lucrative long-term deal with Masandawana.

"OK‚ you can say he signed a five-year contract at Sundowns. But I also signed a four-year contract [at Downs]. Life is like that‚" the two-time CAF Champions League winner explained.

"Unfortunately players have 40‚ 50 years to live after football. So you've got to make as much as you can to sustain you for 65 years to live.

"What are you going to live on because you have no skills outside football? That's why players move to Asia‚ to Japan‚ the Middle East‚ because it's the last chance‚ they have to go.

"That's the way it is with Gaston. He had that chance. And he's crying for that chance, I know for sure."