Mamelodi Sundowns' big-money bid for Real Madrid star's former Brazil teammate rejected as Masandawana look to reinforce squad with PSL transfer deadline day looming

Masandawana are keen admirers of Matheusinho, who is currently on the books of Sport Recife on loan from Santa Clara.

The Chloorkop-based giants saw their €1.5 million (around R31 million) bid for the 27-year-old being rejected last week, but the club remained persistent as they look to add the gifted player to their squad.

As previously reported by GOAL, Sundowns made an improved offer of €1.7 million (around R35 million) in an effort to convince Portuguese top-tier side Clara to sell the former Brazil youth international.

However, the bid has also been rejected as Recife are unwilling to lose one of their most influential players without replacing him, as the transfer window is closed in Brazil.

The loan agreement between Recife and Clara ends at the end of the 2025/26 season and the deal includes an obligation to buy if agreed conditions are met.

However, Recife would receive 20 per cent of the transfer fee if they agreed to terminate the loan deal and Clara sell Matheusinho to Sundowns or any other club. 

Matheusinho, who played for Brazil alongside Eder Militao at the 2015 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Chile, is viewed as a possible replacement for Lucas Ribeiro, with the reigning PSL Player of the Season having joined Spanish outfit Cultural Leonesa.

Sundowns head coach Cardoso has made it known that his squad needs reinforcing, with the club having so far signed Fawaaz Basadien and Katlego Ntsabeleng in the current transfer window, which closes on September 22.

It remains to be seen whether Sundowns will make a third and enticing offer for Matheusinho in the upcoming days.

The PSL big spenders' record signing is Matheusinho's compatriot, Arthur Sales, who cost R62 million (approximately €3.2 million).

This deal, completed in 2024 from Belgium's SK Lommel, made the forward the most expensive player in PSL history.