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Behind the millions: The cost of signing for Downs

Mamelodi Sundowns' new signing Arthur de Oliveira Sales has become the latest hope of breaking the South American mercenary stigma at the club, an achievement which could put the club on the map.

Sundowns' habit of signing the South Americans goes as far back as the early days of Shoeshine and Piano, but recruits in recent years have become the most expensive transfers in the history of the club.

It therefore goes without saying that the South American players command the biggest pay cheques at the club and, by extension, in the league.

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However, the imports from Latin America have not had the impact that would justify their price tags, with the likes of Erwin Saavedra (who has since left), Marcelo Allende and recently Matias Esquivel (although he has been at the club since January) not yet setting the PSL alight.

The Tshwane giants' recent acquisition of the South Americans who plied their trade in Europe or were on the brink begs the question of whether the likes of Allende, Esquivel, Lucas Ribeiro Costa and recent signing Sales are at Sundowns to stay and enjoy the money or have ambitions of playing for bigger European clubs...

The biggest challenge of signing for the club, especially at high transfer fees and on a long-term contract, is that the only way to bounce back in the European market is to have a great season in the PSL and also play for the national team.

Sundowns broke their own transfer record after they completed the signing of Sales from Belgian Second Division club Lommel SK, parting ways with around a reported R64 million.

Can the latest Brazilian attract a bigger club in Europe, if he hits the ground running?

"No career is a linear thing, so there's always opportunities for players to showcase their full potential, where they are and in the environment they are in," a scout familiar with Belgian football tells KickOff.

"A new environment can help them to find that special quality that they have, so there's no reason why if he doesn't do very well there, he can obviously look to come back at a different level."

Sundowns' profile will go to another level once they compete at the expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

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However, should a player like Sales attract European interest after this upcoming season or during his time at Chloorkop, given that he's only 22, club directors in the Northern Hemisphere will find it difficult to justify paying top dollar for a Brazilian they can find at a fraction of a price in South America or in the various leagues around the cold environment of Europe.

Nevertheless, such a transfer would catapult the Tshwane giants as a real force in world football and break the stigma that the South American imports are at the club only for the big payday.

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