Pitso Mosimane compares Percy Tau to Lionel Messi with signing only ‘days away’

Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane has hailed club target Percy Tau, fueling rumours of an ‘imminent’ transfer move for the Bafana Bafana star.

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Percy Tau has been a target of the Egyptian giants for a while after Mosimane hinted that he will be “bringing in a player from South Africa”.

Speculation that that player was Tau grew when reports emerged that English Premier League club Brighton wanted to cash in on Tau after he entered the final year of his contract.

With Al Ahly appearing to be his only suitors, Brighton agreed to lower their transfer demands – which were originally reported to be around the €6 million (R10.4 million) mark.

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Tau missed Brighton’s 2-0 defeat in Sunday’s friendly against Spanish side Getafe, adding to speculation the 27-year-old South African was on the verge of agreeing a deal with Al Ahly.

According to the Kingfut website, during an Instagram live, Mosimane hailed Percy Tau, comparing him to Lionel Messi, while also confirming his interest in luring the South African to Cairo.

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“Percy loves to play football. He will have to decide whether or not he wants to join us, but we also have to consider the financial side,” Mosimane said.

“He’s 28 now and he should show the world what he can do as he doesn’t get playtime where he is now.

“Any coach in Africa would want Tau in his team.

“He should come to play with the team that participates in the FIFA Club World Cup and came face to face with enormous teams like Bayern Munich.

“Tau is like Messi, he has a lot to show. He can do new things every week and if possible, I’d like him to join us from Brighton, if we can afford it of course,” Mosimane added.

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Percy Tau became one of South Africa’s biggest stars under Mosimane at Mamelodi Sundowns which earned him a move to the Premier League in 2018.

However, Tau failed to establish himself as a permanent member of the Seagulls’ starting XI and was subsequently sent on three loan spells to Belgium where he spent time at Union SG, Club Brugge and Anderlecht.

The news of Percy Tau’s imminent transfer to Al Ahly comes as Walter Bwalya (DR Congo) and Aliou Dieng (Mali) are reportedly close to leaving Al Ahly, meaning two spaces will open up for more foreign players to join the squad as per the Egyptian FA’s regulations.

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