Marcelo Allende’s future at Mamelodi Sundowns uncertain as transfer interest grows

Marcelo Allende is approaching the final 10 months of his Mamelodi Sundowns contract without discussions over an extension, with the Chilean midfielder’s desire to move on emerging as a key factor in his uncertain future.

The situation is not understood to be the result of any dispute with Sundowns. Instead, Allende is believed to be keen to find a new challenge and move to a league where his performances are more likely to lead to international recognition.

Allende is in his fifth season with Sundowns and has regularly demonstrated the qualities that persuaded the club to pay a significant fee to sign him from Uruguayan side Montevideo City Torque in July 2022.

Whenever available, the 27-year-old has been a consistent selection for the South African club. He has averaged 44 appearances per season, underlining his importance to the team.

That pattern has continued this campaign. Allende has played in every match so far, completing the full 90 minutes in six of his seven appearances.

Despite his reliability and contribution, there has been no new contract agreement. The CAF Champions League holders would like to retain him, but the negotiations are complicated by the ambitions of the player and his representatives.

Allende’s handlers are pushing for a move to a competition where regular performances could improve his chances of being selected by Chile. Despite his consistency at Sundowns, he has received no recent recognition from the Chile national team selectors.

The situation has reinforced the view among those advising him that the Chilean authorities do not place the same value on performances in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) as they do on players competing in Europe or the Americas.

Those two markets are being examined as possible destinations, with opportunities in Mexico and Major League Soccer (MLS) expected to be considered. Any negotiations over Allende’s next contract are also likely to involve financial demands beyond anything Sundowns have previously paid.

Allende captained Chile at the 2015 Under-17 World Cup and later wore the armband for the Under-20 side. However, he has won only one senior international cap.

His most recent call-up came while he was still playing in Uruguay, before his move to Sundowns.

Chile’s lack of success in World Cup qualifying has added significance to the country’s next international period. Having failed to qualify for the past three World Cups, Chile will begin its rebuilding process against the three nations hosting the next tournament Canada, the United States and Mexico during the forthcoming FIFA dates.

For Sundowns, the priority will be to retain one of their most consistently used midfielders. But with no extension talks yet under way and interest from clubs in Mexico and MLS being explored, Allende’s departure is increasingly a possibility as his current deal moves towards its final months.

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