Mamelodi Sundowns have launched an official bid to secure the 2019/20 CAF Confederation Cup top scorer from Botola Pro side Hassania Agadir.
Sundowns owner Patrice Motsepe recently revealed the club was actively pursuing two foreign transfer targets in preparation for the 2020/21 season, despite the current campaign remaining unfinished.
Uganda international and Wydad Casablanca target Bayo Fahad confirmed to snl24.com/kickoff that Sundowns made contact for his services but have not submitted an offer to him or his club Vipers SC.
READ: Bayo: I'm ready to join Sundowns
However, this website now understands that Pitso Mosimane's scouting team has also moved swiftly for 24-year-old striker Karim El Berkaoui, who has earned rave reviews in North Africa this season.
#TuesdayTreble Time ???
— CAF (@CAF_Online) May 12, 2020
A relatively recent hat-trick scored by Karim El Berkaoui in the 19/20 #TotalCAFCC quarter-final against Libyan side Al Nasr! ??
That third goal ?? pic.twitter.com/kSn1rbTZED
The pacey striker netted eight goals in 11 Confederation Cup games, firing Hassania to the semi-final stage of the second-tier continental competition, where they are set to face domestic rivals RC Berkane.
According to Maghrib Foot, Hassania – who met up with Sundowns in Egypt when the South African side faced Al Ahly in Cairo – have rejected several offers from domestic rivals and from the Gulf region.
READ: Downs monitoring Wits' Zim forward
But this hasn't deterred The Brazilians from launching an opening bid in the region of $1-million (R18m) in an attempt to land the services of the in-demand forward.
"Karim is aware of the interest from Mamelodi [Sundowns] but has not been informed about offers from the club. Hassania needs to first accept [a bid] before allowing him to open talks with any club," a North African source tells snl24.com/kickoff.
According to Moroccan football expert Jalal Bounouar, Hassania President Habib Sidnou has not been convinced by the official offer.
"He's been linked with Zamalek and Chabab Mohamedia, there is an official offer from Sundowns but the president is still not okay about the value of this move, but the offer has been tabled," Bounouar confirmed.
El Berkaoui, who is comfortable as a winger or as a lone striker, has netted 16 goals and registered one assist in 27 games in all competitions this season.
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