Mamelodi Sundowns have secured a significant acquisition, agreeing to sign midfielder Matias Esquivel from Argentinian side Club Atlético Lanús as widely reported by the local media.
Africasoccer.com understands that the South African champions will pay around US$2.5 million for landing the 24-year-old Argentine central midfielder.
Personal terms were settled last month, but negotiations on the transfer fee persisted.
The decision to sign for Sundowns as a shock as connoisseurs expected him to move to Europe following a standout season with Lanús, finishing fourth in the competitive Argentinian Primera División.
Esquivel’s capture signifies another impactful South American transfer for Sundowns, who previously brought Chilean midfielder Marcello Allende from Uruguayan club Montevideo City Torque in a US$3 million deal in August 2022.
As part of their ongoing squad adjustments, Sundowns are poised to part ways with Bolivian midfielder Erwin Saavedra.
Additionally, Divine Lunga is set to be registered as a South African, solidifying his role in the Brazilians’ first team.
Esquivel is expected to join the squad for mid-season pre-season preparations during the Africa Cup of Nations, marking a strategic move for the South African club in bolstering their roster with international talent.
