Stellenbosch FC full-back Fawaaz Basadien is reportedly close to joining Mamelodi Sundowns after months of speculation over his future.
Basadien has been a target of the ‘Big Three’, Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates since last year, but the Soweto giants were priced out of a move after Stellies handed the left-back a new contract and put a heavy buyout clause in his deal.
However, Sundowns had not given up and according to SABC, the Brazilians have made their intentions clear to Basadien’s camp this off-season with Stellenbosch also aware of the interest.
The public broadcaster reports that the full-back is now close to signing for Sundowns, who are ready to trigger his buyout clause, just like they did with ex-Stellies stars Iqraam Rayners and Jayden Adams, who joined them ahead of the 2024-25 campaign and in January respectively.
Basadien skipped training as transfer talks progress
Basdien reportedly skipped training on Thursday morning with talks progressing between the two clubs over a permanent move to the Pretoria giants in the coming days.
Sundowns are yet to sign a player but it appears the Bafana Bafana defender will be the first one in what will be a major coup yet again.
Their move signals an intention by Sundowns to strengthen at left-back, an area that has seen Aubrey Modiba, Divine Lunga and Terrence Mashego compete for a starting place in coach Miguel Cardoso’s team, and the arrival of Basadien could be the end of one of them at the club.
Sundowns’ interest comes three weeks after Basadien's agent revealed that the defender had been sounded out by two North African clubs over a possible move during this transfer window but said they will not be jumping on any offer until they are certain that it is the right one for the player.
Who else is interested in the Stellenbosch defender?
“Yes, it’s true that we’ve received what I could describe as a bid from two North African clubs for Fawaaz,” Basadien’s agent Basia Michaels told SABC early this month.
“We would consider any offer that can take the player to the next level, but we won’t be jumping into anything just yet – especially with the Afcon in mind. I’d like to also remind interested parties that Fawaaz is under contract at Stellies and they still hold all the cards. The North Africa proposal is quite lucrative though.”
Basadine, Stellenbosch’s Player of the Season last term, scored seven goals while providing eight assists in 46 games in 2024-25, and has been at the club since joining in 2022 from Moroka Swallows, playing 111 games during his three-year stay.
