Mamelodi Sundowns have again flexed their financial power to muscle their way in the transfer market by elbowing Kaizer Chiefs out of the race for in-demand Stellenbosch attacker Junior Mendieta.
Such is the weight of the offer on the table for Mendieta, that Stellenbosch have offered no resistance in giving the green light for their star performer to leave.
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Mendieta had 19 goal contributions (10 goals and nine assists) in 31 appearances last season in what was a standout campaign for him.
The Argentine – who plays similarly to Philippe Coutinho in his prime at Liverpool – has spent three years in the Cape Winelands but the power of money from Sundowns has left him with no choice but to pack up and head up to Gauteng.
Mendieta will celebrate his 30th birthday on Tuesday, June 13 at the back of having signed a three-year deal that immediately pushes him into the top tier of earners in the DStv Premiership which is dominated by Sundowns players with three from Kaizer Chiefs and only one from Orlando Pirates.
With Mendieta his earnings will increase as he gathers appearances at Sundowns.
What Sundowns will pay the native to Corrientes in his first season is already way beyond the salary bracket offered to players at Stellenbosch.
In his arrival at Chloorkop, Mendieta will feel at home in the sense that there are other Spanish-speaking South Americans in Gaston Sirino (Uruguay) and Marcelo Allende (Chile).
Fellow South American Erwin Saavedra is on his way out after battling to make an impact in the 18 months that he has spent there.
Mendieta joins Sundowns at the back of interest from Kaizer Chiefs who were slow in firming up their interest by competing with Sundowns.
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