Sirino To Remain At Sundowns As Al Ahly Talks Collapse

Gaston Sirino could remain at Mamelodi Sundowns for the remainder of his contract after talks with Al Ahly were terminated by the South African Premier Soccer League champions.

The Uruguayan international had strongly linked with the Red Devils in a move that could have seen him reunite with former Sundowns manager Pitso Mosimane.

Al Ahly were expected to wrap up a deal for the 29-year-old quickly before the beginning of January transfer window.

However, Sundowns issued a statement on Monday saying they have terminated discussions with Al Ahly over the potential sale of the attacking midfielder.

“Mamelodi Sundowns FC today announced that it has terminated discussions with Al Ahly SC as the clubs are too far from each other on the transfer fee for Gaston Sirino,” Sundowns said on Monday.

“The good relations between the President of Al Ahly, Mr Mahmoud El Khatib, and the President of Mamelodi Sundowns Dr Patrice Motsepe will continue the good relations between Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly but there is no point or purpose in continuing the discussions on Gaston Sirino.

“Mamelodi Sundowns will continue releasing players to European, African and other football countries like it did for Percy Tau, Keagan Dolly, Bongani Zungu, Ivorian international Siaka Tiéné, and other players but the transfer fee must be competitive as Mamelodi Sundowns is consistently paying high internationally competitive transfer fees for the players that it acquires.

“Gaston Sirino must now focus on his football and compete for a starting position at Mamelodi Sundowns.”

Sirino had formally asked the Dstv Premiership club management to leave on Thursday after putting his request into writing.

The former Club Bolivar star has featured for Sundowns in only the MTN8 quarterfinal loss to Bloemfontein Celtic and has missed all of their five DStv Premiership matches.

His absence has been linked to a hamstring injury by Sundowns though most of Johannesburg publications blame it to a fall-out with the club’s management.