Saudi billionaire denies involvement in failed Gaston Sirino transfer

Saudi billionaire Turki Al-Sheikh has distanced himself from Al Ahly’s failed pursuit of Mamelodi Sundowns striker Gaston Sirino.

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The Brazilians announced this week that they had terminated negotiations with the Egyptian giants after failing to agree on a transfer fee for the Uruguayan playmaker.

AL AHLY OFFERED R50M, SUNDOWNS WANT R90M

According to reports, Al Ahly were offering in the region of R50 million for a player who Mamelodi Sundowns felt was worth in the region of R90 million.

Shortly thereafter, reports emerged in the Egyptian media that Al-Sheikh, the former honorary president of Al Ahly, had funded a potential bid for Sudanese giants Al-Hilal, where he was announced in the same capacity this week.

Al-Sheikh has endured a tumultuous relationship with Al Ahly since ending his relationship with the club and investing heavily in rivals, Pyramids, between 2018 and 2019 in order to challenge their dominance in Egypt.

However, having subsequently sold the club to purchase Spanish outfit Almeira, he has claimed that he has no intention of interfering in the transfer dealings of the African club.

AL-SHEIKH: I AM OUT THE SCENE IN EGYPT FOOTBALL

“Regarding Egypt, I am totally out of the scene in football. I have my own European club and I am fully focused on it,” he said via his official Facebook account, as per KingFut.

“I have nothing to do with Al Ahly failing to sign Sirino and I never interfered in the deal nor tried to alter its course to Al-Hilal.”

The 27-time Sudanese champions confirmed to Yallakora that no bid was launched for Sirino, but stopped short of denying the team’s interest in the 29-year-old.

Sirino has featured for just 89 minutes for the Brazilians this season in the MTN8, with the club suggesting that injuries have prevented his further involvement.

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Sundowns are next in action on Saturday, January 2 in a mouth-watering clash against Orlando Pirates at Loftus Versfeld at 15:30.

At the festive season break, Sundowns are currently top of the DStv Premiership standings with 18 points after just eight matches.