'He also asked to leave' Mamelodi Sundowns! Miguel Cardoso opens up amid reported R75 million-price tag on Peter Shalulile and Sphelele Mkhulise's rumoured move to Khanyisa Mayo's CR Belouizdad after Lebohang Maboe & Rushine De Reuck exit

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has denied claims that Sphelele Mkhulise and Peter Shalulile are set to leave the club, while also discussing the loan transfers of Lebohang Maboe and Rushine De Reuck.

In recent weeks, reports have emerged suggesting that Shalulile could soon be heading to the Gulf region with Masandawana rumoured to have placed a R75 million price tag on him. A recent report also claimed that Mkhulise is close to joining Khanyisa Mayo's CR Belouizdad in Algeria.

However, in a press conference following Sundowns' massive victory over Golden Arrows on Sunday, Cardoso dismissed those rumours, stating that they are merely false speculations.

"By the way, I can make it clear, I can take it even in my hands because during the week I spoke with the team to make it clear and close that, so there are no issues regarding Pitso (Mkhulise) or any transfer on him. He is a player of the club, we like him so much and we trust him," Cardoso told reporters.

"Pitso has been playing in the team, so we finished that, so that there is no more talks about him leaving the team. And there were also rumours or something said regarding Peter (Shalulile) that (there is a possibility that he might move), there is nothing, nothing like that.

"What was done in the market inside the club was clearly done in the best interest of the club and the players because many of the movements that happened not only had to do with our intention but also from the appeals that we received from the players," he continued.

"So, that’s how the market should work and how a club should work, regarding the happiness of a football player because a football player is also a man and when he’s not happy because he is not playing we should also respect that.

"For example, Rushine (De Rueck) clearly asked me that he wants to move where he can play, he said I need to play, I want to play, and that’s why we made the move on him. Like I can also speak about Lebohang (Maboe), who is a wonderful person, who worked well in our group, an important one," he added.

"He also asked [to leave], he said coach I want to go play, so I can perform for you to see me and I want to come back to the club, so we gave him this opportunity, so just to make it clear that the market is a product of what we analyze regarding the satisfaction of the group, the club first of all but also players as individuals because they want to take steps in their career in different ways."

Shalulile has been in impressive form lately, having netted four goals in the last five Sundowns matches across all competitions. Mkhulise, conversely, has been inconsistent and was substituted before half-time against Arrows.

Maboe and De Reuck have joined SuperSport United and Maccabi Petah Tikvah on loan until the end of the season, respectively.

Additionally, Thembinkosi Lorch has also been loaned out to Rhulani Mokwena's Wydad Athletic Club as he requested to be released after finding it difficult to secure playing time.

Maboe and De Reuck will be aiming to impress Cardoso to earn a recall while playing for SuperSport and Maccabi Tikvah, respectively.

Sundowns will face off against Matsatsantsa in the Tshwane Derby on Wednesday before preparing for their upcoming PSL clash against Orlando Pirates on Saturday.