Sundowns set to sign Bolivian star

BOLIVIAN international Erwin Saavendra could soon move to Mamelodi Sundowns, according to reports from South America.

The 25-year-old has been in impressive form for his club this season as he has so far scored 10 goals and contributed nine assists in 26 league appearances.

The right-midfielder has featured 93 times for Club Bolivar since joining them in 2018. He has 23 goals and 20 assists in his time with the club.

Masandawana could be set to fork out the equivalent of R18-million, which will be a record fee.

One of Saavendra’s strengths is that he is versatile as he can also play as a right-back.

Saavendra could potentially be the replacement for Gaston Sirino, who also joined Sundowns from Bolivar in 2017.

Sirino’s future with Downs is the subject of speculation as he has fallen down the pecking order at the club under its new technical team.

Should Saavendra sign, the Bolivian could also become the second fully capped international player in the Sundowns squad from outside Africa along with Slovakia international Pavol Šafranko also being capped by Slovakia.

Saavendra could add further depth to the final third for Sundowns after they also signed Bradley Ralani from Cape Town City in the current transfer window.

Sundowns have a long history of signing South American players who have become successful players in their squad.

In addition to Sirino, defender Ricardo Nascimento has been on Sundowns’ books since 2016 and has one on to become a key leader within the dressing room.

Leonardo Castro was also a success for Sundowns for three years before leaving for Kaizer Chiefs in 2018.

Since joining Amakhosi, he has been unable to replicate the same level of consistency that he showed in the Masandawana jersey.

In the 2000s, Downs famously had Venezuelan attacker Jose Torrealba on their books between 2005 and 2007.

After leaving Sundowns and returning to his homeland, Torrealba once again found himself in South Africa shortly afterwards, this time with Chiefs.

However, he too was unable to deliver for Amakhosi as he did with Sundowns.*