Mamelodi Sundowns' qualification for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has earned them a big weight in the negotiating table against European teams who are courting their big stars, KickOff has learnt.
While moving to Europe as a South African player was a no-brainer if there was strong interest in the past, Sundowns' qualification for the FIFA Club World Cup is currently challenging that narrative for their players.
The Brazilians are known to be competing with some of the clubs in Europe, particularly Scandinavian countries, in terms of salary packages, hence they are able to keep most of their best players season in and season out.
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However, qualifying for the inaugural extended Club World Cup has given them a new leverage in negotiations with some of their big stars who are in demand abroad.
Ronwen Williams enjoyed widespread appeal after his exploits at AFCON with Bafana Bafana and revealed in an interview on Metro FM Sports recently that Rulani Mokwena believes he can play for top clubs in Europe.
A sentiment held by many South Africans.
Masandawana announced at the beginning of May that they had agreed on a new contract extension of four years with Williams, fending off any immediate transfer before the tournament in June next year.
Another big Sundowns player in demand in Europe is Teboho Mokoena, whose handlers are locked in negotiations with Sundowns over the extension of his contract.
The box-to-box midfielder has attracted interest from French giants Monaco and English Premier League side Bournemouth, according to Soccer Laduma.
However, his agency are in favour of him remaining at Chloorkop provided they improve their offer, in the negotiations over a new deal, which are deadlocked.
"We are hopeful the club will present a revised offer, which will bring this to finality and in the best interests of all concerned, so that the player can continue producing Man of the Match performances for Sundowns for years to come," Mokoena's agent, Glyn Binkin, told SABC Sport.
Another Sundowns star who is subject to overseas interest is Khuliso Mudau, who was linked with Burnley, now relegated from the Premier League, as well as Belgian clubs.
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Although it is not clear whether the Tshwane giants are engaging the fullback over a new deal, a source close to the transfer dealings at the club admitted when queried that the looming participation of the side at the Club World Cup will have a big bearing on most of their stars extending their stay and also the club attracting more top players.
"It's a great opportunity for all those Sundowns players and everybody that goes there because of the [Club World Cup] exposure," the source admitted to this website.
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