Mamelodi Sundowns forward Cassius Mailula will not be part of their pre-season trip to the Netherlands as talks over a move to Major League Soccer side Toronto FC continue.
Sundowns released a statement on Monday announcing they are ‘supporting’ his move to a ‘North American club’.
iDiski Times have now established the club to be MLS side Toronto, who have made several enquiries over his services and after it seemed the deal might be called off, they returned with an improved offer for the South Africa international.
Mailula, who turned 22 last month enjoyed an incredible breakthrough season with Masandawana in the 2022/23 campaign with 15 goals and four assists in 31 games, was said to have attracted interest from Belgium and France.
But Toronto has shown clear intent to land the player, with sources suggesting he could replace Lorenzo Insigne at the club – who’s not lived up to expectations as one of the highest highest-paid players with an annual salary of around $15 million.
With Insigne attracting interest from Saudi Arabia, the club, who’s struggled alongside fellow big spenders Inter Miami this season are aiming to recoup some of the massive investment they made in the Italy international.
His 10 goals and four assists in 27 games has been a far cry of the impact of his compatriot Sebastian Giovinco who plundered 83 goals with 51 assists in 152 games between 2015 and 2019.
It’s been suggested the signing of Mailula fits the profile as a diminutive and versatile attacker with similar traits to the former Juventus attacker but also represents a new transfer strategy now targeting young emerging talent.
The recent successes of Njabulo Blom and Bongokuhle Hlongwane from the DStv Premiership to North America have also been a reference point for the standard of talent available from the South African top-flight, with Mailula likely to join the contingent which also included former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Tsiki Ntsabeleng at FC Dallas.
Story by Lorenz Kohler (@Lorenz_KO).
