Percy Tau

Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Percy Tau: Sundowns deny suggestions of bad blood with star player

Relations between player and club are believed to be at an all-time low.

Percy Tau

Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Mamelodi Sundowns have cleared the air following reports of a rift with star forward, Percy Tau.

The 24-year-old has been the subject of interest from English Premiership outfit, Brighton and Hove Albion, who have reportedly had their latest offer for the player rejected by the Pretoria-based side.

As a result, Tau has not joined his teammates for pre-season preparations, but Sundowns’ spokesperson, Thulani Thuswa has told KickOff, that there is no bad blood between the club and the player.

“We want Percy to go to a top team. It’s been a while since South African players were exported to top teams. We want to send our players to top leagues and to clubs that respect them and the process,” Thuswa said.

“There’s no fight with Percy Tau. We don’t fight with our own kids. All we want is for the process to be respected and for people to make the right offers for our players. Offers that respect the league and our pedigree as Sundowns. Percy will go overseas. We love him too much for us to stand in his way.”

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Despite the stall in the transfer, Sundowns had previously reiterated that they are committed to ensuring that Tau moves to Europe next season.

Following his stellar showing in the 2017/18 season – where he registered 11 league goals in helping the club to a record eighth PSL title – he has been linked to several clubs, including French giants AS Monaco.

Sundowns have recently lost one of their stars in Zimbabwean international, Khama Billiat, who signed with rivals, Kaizer Chiefs.

Tau’s departure could see the Pretoria side’s attacking arsenal severely weakened, as he and Billiat contributed 19 league goals and 14 assists between them in the recently-concluded season.

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