Mamelodi Sundowns' foreign quota dilemma has resurfaced and this time it threatens to cost them millions again.
Sundowns have reportedly concluded the signing of Argentinian midfielder Matias Esquivel, for a $2,5 million (R46, 5 million), although the deal has not been made official, as Esquivel is expected to land in the country in a few weeks.
The signing of Club Atletico Lanus midfielder has presented the Brazilians with another foreign quota headache, as their five foreign spots are already filled by Marcelo Allende, Lucas Ribeiro Costa, Abdelmounaim Boutouil, Abubaker Nasir and Junior Mendieta.
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The Tshwane giants faced a similar challenge in February 2022 after signing Bolivian midfielder Erwin Saavedra for a reported R12 million and to free up a foreign space, they mutually agreed to terminate the contract of Ricardo Nascimento, whose contract was left with six months.
Saavedra has hardly featured for Sundowns, mainly due to long-term injuries, as he made only a total of ten appearances in two years and has not featured this season for the same reason and as a result was not registered with the PSL.
The 27-year-old could have already played his last game for Masandawana, as there are reports that the two parties could agree on a mutual termination of contract which is set to expire in June 2024.
While lining up the signing of Marcelo Allende for a reported R51 million from Montevideo City Torque and with plans of bringing back Abubeker Nassir, whom the club signed from Ethiopian side Coffee and loaned him back to the same club, Sundowns also had to free up a foreign spot in August 2022 and ended up terminating the contract of Pavol Safranko, who was signed for a reported R12 million.
Safranko's departure in the same month the Brazilians signed Allende and brought back Nasir, was surprising given that the Slovakian striker had scored nine goals in 28 appearances for the Chloorkop-based side.
There are reports that Sundowns could loan either Mendieta or Nasir to make space for Esquivel, with Mendieta linked with a return to Stellenbosch, just six months after he was signed for a reported R12 million.