Mamelodi Sundowns’ Shocking Double Rejection for Matheusinho – ‘When Your Best Offer Isn’t Even Close to Enough!’

The saga of Mamelodi Sundowns’ pursuit of Brazilian attacking midfielder Matheusinho has taken a dramatic turn.

After two bids, the latest valued at approximately 35 million rand (€1.7 million), were rejected outright, the question now is: will Sundowns raise the stakes or abandon their chase altogether?

Matheusinho, whose full name is Matheus Leonardo Sales Cardoso, is currently on loan at CD Tenerife from Santa Clara in Portugal.

At 27 years old, he’s seen as a prime candidate to inject creativity and firepower into Sundowns’ midfield.

However, despite the club’s clear interest, the negotiations have hit a brick wall.

Initially, Sundowns made a €1.5 million (around R30 million) offer, which was promptly turned down.

Undeterred, the club returned with an improved bid of €1.7 million (approximately R35 million), signaling their serious intent to secure the player’s services.

Yet, the response was the same—rejection.

This leaves Sundowns in a precarious position.

The South African transfer window closes on September 22, giving the club barely a week to finalize any deal or pivot to alternative targets.

With a squad that has seen numerous departures—players like Abu Rivero and others have left or been loaned out—Sundowns urgently need reinforcements, particularly in the attacking midfield department.

Adding to the complexity is the fact that Matheusinho’s current club is not willing to release him, especially as their own transfer window is closed.

This means they have no immediate replacement lined up and are reluctant to weaken their squad mid-season.

The timing could not be worse for Sundowns, who are now caught in a tug-of-war with limited leverage.

The situation is further complicated by an ongoing legal dispute involving Sundowns and Matheusinho, which remains unresolved.

The player has publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the club, even taking the matter to a tribunal.

This fractured relationship casts doubt on whether he would even be willing to return and play for Sundowns if the transfer were to go through.

From a strategic standpoint, Sundowns face a dilemma.

Do they increase their offer significantly—perhaps to R40 million or beyond—to sway the player’s current club?

Or do they cut their losses and focus on other transfer targets?

The answer remains uncertain, but time is running out.

Sundowns’ lack of activity in the transfer market so far this window has drawn criticism.

While they have signed a few players and loaned out others, the net effect has been a trimming of the squad rather than a robust reinforcement.

Losing key players without adequately replacing them could jeopardize their competitive edge this season.

The Matheusinho episode highlights the challenges South African clubs face in securing international talent.

Negotiations can be protracted and complicated by factors such as transfer windows in different countries, player willingness, legal disputes, and financial constraints.

Fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see how Sundowns will respond.

Will they double down with an even more lucrative offer, or will they pivot to domestic options?

The stakes are high, and the clock is ticking.

In conclusion, Mamelodi Sundowns’ pursuit of Matheusinho has hit a major roadblock with two rejected bids.

The club’s next move will be critical in determining whether they can bolster their squad in time or face a challenging season without the much-needed creative spark.

The drama is far from over, and only time will tell if Sundowns can turn this saga around.