Mamelodi Sundowns have reportedly paid around R51 million in a record transfer for Chilean attacking-midfielder Marcelo Allende.
The deal is thought to be the highest ever paid by a South African club for a single player.
The 23-year-old Allende has reportedly moved to Sundowns from Uruguayan Primera Division club Montevideo City Torque on a three-year deal.
According to Chilean media, Allende’s transfer to Sundowns was “surprising” and the move was thought to be largely influenced by money.
The report adds that Sundowns paid around $3million (R51,6 million) for the attacking midfielder.
Mamelodi Sundowns are targeting Chilean national player Marcelo Allende for $3m (R51m).
— 🇿🇦🔴⚪️ (@JoshuaGaillard) July 21, 2022
In January of 2017, it was reported that the 17-year-old had been handed a third trial with the Gunners after continuing to impress staff in North London. pic.twitter.com/uRAckH3nOX
In January 2020, Allende joined City Torque on a free transfer from Chilean outfit Club Deportivo Magallanes.
The deal was mentioned in Chilean media by the Encancha publication, stating: “In order to get him out of the club belonging to the City Football Group, Mamelodi Sundowns had to pay three million dollars, an extremely important figure for the charruas, who in 2020 transferred to the club on a free deal.
REVEALED | Mamelodi Sundowns are believed to have forked out a staggering R51 million in a record transfer for Chilean midfield sensation Marcelo Allende. 💵
— Kick Off (@KickOffMagazine) July 21, 2022
Read more here ➡️ https://t.co/XbmbO6Xraj pic.twitter.com/Ug5V2jb4Rj
“After completing his move to Magallanes, the player was released and ended up signing in the Uruguayan capital at zero cost,” reads the Encancha report.
Reports coming out of Uruguay claim, Allende will triple his earning by moving to South Africa compared to what he was earning in Uruguay.
