There’s a good chance Orlando Pirates will see Patrick Maswanganyi flock to Soweto this offseason.
It’s no secret that the reigning PSL Player of the Year wants to enjoy his prime years in Europe, where he enjoyed plenty of his youth career playing for UD Oliveirense and Academica de Coimbra.
Earlier in the season, Maswanganyi’s former Stars of Africa mentor, Farouk Khan, fuelled speculation of an offseason exit, saying, “He [Maswanganyi] is ready for Europe.
“Even himself as a player, he really wants to play there. You know if Orlando Pirates can allow him to go then it won’t benefit only Pirates from the sale but also the player himself and the country. He could have stayed longer in Portugal, but he was impatient that time,
“You know many players from Brazil, Argentina, and most other African countries use Portugal as a springboard to bigger leagues in Europe and he could have been patient then things could have worked out for him that time. But nothing is lost. He can still go now and make it big. He is ready for Europe.”
A reunion on the cards?
According to reports, the Orlando Pirates star is being monitoring by former club Oliveirense, who are eyeing a R40 million bid for the 27-year-old.
“It’s no longer just about an inquiry, it’s about negotiations now,” a Siya source confirmed in January.
“They really want him back in Portugal. They are looking at the progress he has made, and they are happy to bring him back to Portugal. It will all depend on what Pirates are looking at or if UD Oliveirense can afford what Pirates will be asking for Maswanganyi.”
“The only issue that is there now is the R40 million that the club has put on Maswanganyi’s head. You know he is one of the best players now in the country and if the club wants that amount then UD Oliveirense should meet or make it even better than that. But since they are believed to have opened up negotiations then it will all depend on their offer that they table to Pirates.”
Who should Orlando Pirates be looking into?
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