Mamelodi Sundowns have reignited their interest in the services of Percy Tau, and a January transfer cannot be ruled out.
Sources close to FARPost have revealed Al Ahly is prepared to sever ties with Tau, who has struggled with injuries.
The ‘Lion of Judah’ has played five games out of 13 in the league for The Red Devils this season. The Witbank-born star has scored two goals, missing out on the remainder of the games through injury.
The move would mean Tau leaving Ahly for a reunion with the boyhood club he left in 2017.
Mamelodi Sundowns are keen on adding Tau to their CAF Champions League squad ahead of next month’s group stages.
The 2016 African champions kick off their group stages campaign with a tie against Sudan’s Al-Hilal Omdurman on February 10, 2023.
The DStv Premiership champions are in Group B alongside Al Hilal, Tau’s current club, Ahly, and Coton Sport of Cameroon.
PERCY TAU’S AGENT SEEN AT CHLOORKOP
A Sundowns source told FARPost that Tau’s agent, Mmatsatsi Sefalafala, was seen at Chloorkop early in January 2023.
“Percy’s agent was at Chloorkop, and it would appear there are talks ongoing,” the source said.
Interestingly, Bongani Zungu, who played with Tau in the 2016 Champions League-winning team, has also told his teammates at Sundowns that Tau is on the verge of a return.
“Recently, Bongani made fun of Mshishi [Themba Zwane], saying Percy is coming; he must start banging in goals. He’s said it more than twice that Percy is coming back,” the source added.
The 28-year-old forward posted a picture of himself on Instagram, carrying a backpack, to which Zungu replied: “Patiently waiting”.
Sundowns’ head coach, Rulani Mokwena, is a known admirer of the Bafana Bafana star. He has the mandate of taking the club further in the Champions League.
WHAT THE MAMELODI SUNDOWNS COACH SAID
In August, Mokwena said if Tau was keen on returning to South Africa, the Brazilians would certainly “explore” bringing him back to Chloorkop.
“He’s my son. My son knows that his father loves him, and we have come a long way,” Mokwena said.
“And if there’s a chance to return to SA, then, like with Bongani Zungu, that would be something we’d explore.”
The CAF Champions League registration window is open and will close on 31 January 2023.
Should Sundowns want to register him, they have ample time to complete the transfer.
Tau started his Sundowns career after a season on loan with the National First Division (NFD) side, Witbank Spurs, in 2015.
He returned to South Africa’s top-flight to rejoin the Tshwane giants in the 2016/17 campaign.
At Sundowns, under Pitso Mosimane, Tau won several trophies, including the Premiership and CAF Champions League titles.
The 2017/18 Footballer of the Season also participated in the FIFA Club World Cup in 2017.
In the Brazilians’ colours, Tau featured in over 100 games, scoring 24 goals and providing a further 27 assists.
Tau moved to Cairo from Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion on a three-year deal in August 2021. He was signed by his former Sundowns coach Mosimane.
In a few months of working with Mosimane in Cairo, Tau won a CAF Super Cup winner’s medal and a bronze at the Club World Cup.
Since Mosimane departed from Ahly in June 2022, Tau’s future has been the subject of much speculation.
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