Saleng is a wanted man. ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

RUMOUR: Orlando Pirates to offer Saleng as bait for surprise PSL star?

Is now the time for a new challenge?

by James Freemantle

28-05-2024 10:10

in Premier Soccer League

Saleng is a wanted man. ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Orlando Pirates could be about to sacrifice superstar Monnapule Saleng to land one of their marquee targets.

Orlando Pirates to send Saleng out as the sacrificial lamb

The Buccaneers are determined to get a deal done for Chippa star Baraka Majogoro involving offering Monnapule Saleng in part exchange. That’s according to Soccer-Laduma.

“The talks are ongoing because Kaizer Chiefs also inquired about the same player (Majogoro) that Pirates would like to swap with Chippa so it will all depend on those talks but the Pirates deal looks more likely than the Chiefs one as there will be a player swap involved. In that way, things become much easier than a straight buy. But it’s still early stages and anything could still happen whichever way it goes,” said the source.

Kaizer Chiefs PSL — The Soweto Derby vibes. Image: © Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

Does Saleng need a new challenge?

Tanzanian midfielder Majogoro, who made 16 league appearances this term, and Saleng are reportedly keen on new challenges. For all his struggles with form this season, Saleng still chipped in with three goals and two assists in 17 league clashes, including a match-winning brace against Kaizer Chiefs.

“If Chippa agree to Saleng then it will benefit both parties as Saleng was not happy this season as he didn’t play as much as he would have loved. He wanted to build on and continue the form from the other season but things didn’t work out for him and now he wants to get more game time once again and the exchange deal with Baraka (Majogoro) would be good for Saleng as well,” said the source.

Rumoured move for Rayners could offset any Saleng blow

Pirates are also reported to be the favourites to sign Stellenbosch’s wide attacker Iqraam Rayners. The 28-year-old shone in the PSL this term with 15 goals, just one behind Golden Boot winner Tshegofatso Mabasa. Rayners is nominally a wide forward but can operate across the front three positions and has excelled through the middle in recent weeks for Stellies who narrowly missed out on CAF Champions League qualification.