Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club have reportedly decided to retain South African forward Cassius Mailula but his parent club are exploring the possibilities of recalling him.
Mailula is at Wydad on a season-long loan from MLS side FC Toronto, with the deal including an option to make it permanent, which the Moroccan side are keen to exercise, following the player’s great start to life at the club.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns forward has provided five assists while scoring one goal in 18 games and there is a feeling that he can continue to blossom under coach Rulani Mokwena, who lured him to Morocco after he became a bit-part player at Toronto.
However, Toronto are now reported to be looking at cutting the loan deal short, owing to their limited options in attack ahead of the 2025 MLS season.
Can Wydad hold onto Mailula?
Toronto have lost last season’s top scorer Prince Owusu with Italian striker Lorenzo Insigne also believed to be on his way out of the club which will see their attacking options greatly reduced.
Mailula was rarely used by coach John Herdman but he has since left the club and there is a feeling that he would start on a clean slate under a new tactician.
The 23-year-old has turned into a good playmaker and Wydad with his five assists in 14 league matches proving vital for the club who have endured an inconsistent season.
According to reports in Morocco, Wydad will need to pay $700,000 (R13 million) to sign Mailula permanently but it is a sum they are willing to part with to tie down the South African international.
