Mamelodi Sundowns ready R12.5 million bid for top defender – report

Mamelodi Sundowns are reportedly ready to spend over R12 million for a top Moroccan centre-back ahead of the new season.

According to Moroccan publication, MaghribFoot, the Brazilians have set their sights on Abdelmounaim Boutouil.

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Boutouil will not come cheap though as he’s reported to be worth in the region of €750 000 (R12.5 million); the amount Sundowns are reportedly ready to match.

The 22-year-old centre-back is currently on the books of Belgian second tier team and former Percy Tau’s employers Union Saint-Gilloise.

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However, he spent the 2020-21 season on loan at Moroccan big spenders Chabab Mohammedia as game time appeared hard to come by at Saint-Gilloise.

And while Boutouil has to go back to Saint-Gilloise as he’s still has a running contract with them until 2023, MaghribFoot reports that he could soon seal a move to Sundowns.

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This after Sundowns inquired about his availability in an attempt to lure him to South Africa for the upcoming PSL campaign.

“Maghrib Foot understands that Mamelodi Sundowns have inquired about the 22-year-old through a Belgian-Moroccan agent.

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“The South African champions are ready to put €750,000 (8m dirhams) on the table for Boutouil’s services, as they hope to strengthen in defence ahead of a new campaign,” reports the publication.

Boutouil was earlier this year named in the Team of the Tournament as Morocco clinched the African Nations Championship.

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And chances are that Sundowns might have spotted him in action for Morocco at the tournament.

Sundowns’ reported interest in Boutouil wouldn’t come as a major surprise to their fans given the fact that Ricardo Nascimento, the club’s most trusted penalty taker, is in the twilight of his career.

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