Will Monnapule Saleng sign a new contract with Orlando Pirates?
New deal on the table? According to reports, Monnapule Saleng is set to be offered a new contract by Soweto giants Orlando Pirates. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
Monnapule Saleng’s future at Orlando Pirates is set to be resolved, with the attacker reportedly being offered a new contract.
Last season, Saleng’s future was up in the air and he was reported to be on the way out of Pirates after some disagreements over how much he was paid, as well as interest shown by clubs from abroad.
Reports suggest he was unhappy with his monthly salary, while some of his teammates were earning much more than he was.
After contract negotiations stalled last year, he was frozen out. A possible move to Egyptian giants Al Ahly also fell through, which led to some mental health challenges for the player..
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There were even numerous reports that Saleng could jump ship to Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs. However, it seems new head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s arrival seems to have had a positive effect on his situation. Soccer Laduma now reports that a meeting between club bosses and Saleng has gone down well, and a new contract could soon be on the table.
"There was a meeting between all the involved parties over the weekend where it's believed that whatever misunderstandings were there were apparently squashed and a new agreement was reached,” an insider was quoted as saying by the publication.
“… It's believed to be an open, new three-year contract. We can't talk much in detail now; rather say it's a three-year deal."
The news will be welcomed by Pirates fans, who saw Saleng as an important player during Jose Riveiro’s three seasons in charge of the club. In that time, they won three MTN8 titles as well as two Nedbank Cups. Without Saleng, they lost last season’s Nedbank Cup final to Chiefs.
The report also claims the player has been with the team since training resumed, and technical staff are now discussing whether he should be on the club’s pre-season trip to Spain.
IOL Sport