Mamelodi Sundowns are in talks to sign Espérance Sportive de Tunis star Yan Sasse as they look to reshape their midfield options ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, with Portuguese midfielder Miguel Reisinho increasingly likely to depart.
Reisinho, 27, joined the Chloorkop-based side at the start of the previous campaign with high expectations, arriving alongside compatriot Nuno Santos.
While Santos managed to settle and make an impact, Reisinho found opportunities hard to come by. His minutes were limited to only 14 games, and his exit will then open an foreign quota spot needed.
The midfielder is currently in talks over terminating his contract and with that foreign slot potentially opening up, attention has turned to the Brazilian who tormented Sundowns on the continental stage.
Sasse is available for free with his contract at Espérance now at an end and the connection runs deeper than just transfer opportunism.
Miguel Cardoso previously managed Espérance, where Sasse was a key figure, the Portuguese coach witnessed first-hand the Brazilian’s quality and match-winning ability during that stint in Tunis.
That tenure saw Cardoso mastermind a famous victory over Sundowns in the 2024 semi-finals before he eventually crossed to the South African side’s dugout. Now, with Cardoso in charge at Chloorkop, the opportunity to finally land a player he knows intimately is ripe.
Sasse, who was hesitant to make the move last season – is believed to be keen on reuniting with Cardoso and further his career in South Africa, despite offers from North African rivals and in the Gulf.
For the Brazilians, landing a proven continental performer on what could be a free transfer would represent exactly the kind of shrewd business that has defined their recruitment strategy – and Cardoso, having watched Sasse up close for years, may finally get his man.
The 29-year-old midfielder has represented Taraji 104 times, with 24 goals and 13 assists to his name.
This story first appeared in this week’s iDiski Times’ digi-paper, edition 162. You can read it completely free! Download it now by clicking the button below or fill in the form to have it sent to you every week.