The transfer of Stellenbosch FC star Junior Mendieta to Mamelodi Sundowns is 90 percent done, according to iDiski Times sources.
Sundowns have beaten SuperSport United to the Argentina winger, with sources confirming CEO Stan Matthews was interested in the player as part of Gavin Hunt’s team for next season.
Other clubs who were rumoured to be interested in the Corrientes-born player were Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs respectively.
This publication reported last week that Mendieta’s Stellenbosch contract includes a R10 million release clause, with not many clubs able to match the Tshwane giants to those amounts.
This has given Sundowns an edge over the others, as they don’t mind paying top dollar for a good player, with sources confirming his move to Chloorkop is “90 percent done”.
The 29-year-old, who turns 30 on 13 June wears number the Nr. 10 with Stellies, was impressive last season, helping his club to finish sixth with 40 points, scoring nine league goals in 26 DStv Premiership starts.
He was part of Steve Barker’s side that ended Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena’s 24-match unbeaten streak in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals in April.
Overall, Mendieta featured in 31 matches in all competitions, scoring 10 goals along with nine assists – making him the second-most productive player behind Monnapule Saleng.
Sundowns are looking at reinvigorating the attacking area for next season after they are understood to have parted ways with Haashim Domingo and Surprise Ralani.
Mendieta arrived at Stellenbosch ahead of the 2020/21 season, initially on loan from Argentine side Atletico Rafael.
Playing in between the lines, he soon impressed Barker, featuring in 23 matches in all competitions and scoring three goals, leading to Stellenbosch to make the move permanent ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.
In the following season Mendieta showed how good of a player he is, scoring two goals in 26 appearances – one of them against Sundowns in December 2021, as Stellies finished fourth in the DStv Premiership table, their highest-ever finish in the PSL.
He soon became a fan favourite at Stellenbosch and upped his output in the 2022/23 campaign, with many left surprise about his omission at the PSL awards after a stellar campaign.
Story by Robin-Duke Madlala (@duke_robin).
