Al Ahly confirm interest in Gaston Sirino as move edges closer
Al Ahly are closing in on long-term transfer target Gaston Sirino who could leave Mamelodi Sundowns despite the transfer window closing this week.
Sirino, 29, has emerged as one of the leading talents in African football since joining Sundowns in January 2018 from Bolivar, playing a crucial role in three consecutive league titles.
He caught the eye of the Red Devils in the 2019/20 CAF Champions League and the club first made contact with the Brazilians back in February doing their two-legged quarter-final tie.
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Their initial enquiry was immediately rebuffed with the Brazilians issuing a hands-off warning but Pitso Mosimane’s exit to join the Club of the Century has changed the dynamic of the proposed deal.
It’s understood that an opening bid of $1-million (R15m) was launched which was knocked back as derisory by the 2019/20 treble winners but a second offer of $2.25m (R34m) has since been submitted.
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It’s believed that Sirino has now threatened to down tools to force a lucrative move to the champions of Africa and reunite with Mosimane, who released the club’s no.10 Saleh Gomaa on Tuesday.
Ahly marketing and football contracts director Amir Tawfik confirmed to On Time Sports 2 this morning that the deal was revived upon Mosimane’s arrival but concedes they’ve yet to reach an agreement on the transfer fee.
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“Sirino was a candidate a year ago to move to Al-Ahly and we asked about the possibility of joining him from Sundowns, but the matter was completely rejected,” he explained.
“We started talking again with the club recently and there are still negotiations going on, and there is nothing new. All I can say is that he is a candidate to join Al Ahly, and we will reveal the details in a timely manner.”
Sirino has scored 24 goals and registered 29 assists in 100 games across all competitions for the Tshwane giants since his arrival nearly three years ago.
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