Mamelodi Sundowns agree 'R20 million deal' to sign former Benfica and Portugal youth international

Defending Premier Soccer League champions Mamelodi Sundowns are understood to have agreed a R20 million deal with Vitoria Guimaraes SC over former Portugal youth international Nuno Santos.

The attacking midfielder is expected to arrive in the country on Monday in order to complete the formalities of his transfer and finally put pen to paper on his new deal.

It is also understood that the former Benfica and Charlotte playmaker has agreed to a long-term contract with the Tshwane giants.

Santos was part of the Portugal junior national teams and he won the 2018 U19 UEFA European Championship. 

The former FC Porto academy player has also represented his country from the U16 to U21 sides, but he is yet to feature for the senior national team.

Santos is set to arrive and fill the void left by Lucas Ribeiro, who left Masandawana in a controversial manner.

The Brazilian forced his way out, although he had a running contract with the Pretoria giants, and finally signed for Spanish club Cultural Leonesa.

Should he finally complete the deal, Santos will have a huge void to fill, given that Ribeiro was a crucial figure for Downs. 

The lefty finished the 2024/25 season as the top scorer with 16 league goals and was named the PSL Player of the Season.

Masandawana must register Santos before the PSL transfer window shuts on September 22.