Mamelodi Sundowns News Today: Transfer blow as bid for attacking target is rejected & more

Mamelodi Sundowns news, including Al Hilal turning down an opening bid for a key forward and how the Diogo Jota precedent could help them overcome Jayden Adams’ death.

Mamelodi Sundowns’ bid for Nigerian star rejected

Sudanese giants Al Hilal have reportedly turned down an opening transfer offer from Mamelodi Sundowns for Nigerian striker Sunday Adetunji.

Sundowns are in the market for attacking reinforcements and have identified the former NPFL star as a priority target during the current window. According to Blueprint, the Pretoria-based club made an initial approach but the Sudanese side rejected the proposal, signalling that they will not let the forward leave cheaply.

EXCLUSIVE 🚨

Al Hilal have rejected an offer from Mamelodi Sundowns for their Nigerian striker Sunday Adetunji

According to our sources, Sundowns are now preparing a second bid worth more than $1.5 million (approximately KSh 194 million)

Al Hilal also currently have offers on… pic.twitter.com/z28Anb7P78

— Third Eye 👁 (@Odhiambo_Brian1) July 18, 2026

While the precise figures were not disclosed, reports indicate that Sundowns remain optimistic a deal can still be done before the window closes — and the club is believed to be preparing an improved offer worth in excess of $1.5 million (R24 million).

Adetunji has established himself as one of Nigeria’s most productive exports on the continent since joining Al Hilal. His goalscoring ability, physical presence and experience in CAF competition have made him a key figure in Khartoum, and the Sudanese champions are understood to value him highly.

Liverpool’s Jota lesson — how Sundowns can heal

There are pre-seasons defined by new signings and fresh optimism, and then there are pre-seasons where the greatest challenge is simply finding the strength to return to the training pitch. For Mamelodi Sundowns, this is unmistakably the latter.

The Brazilians departed for Austria this weekend, just days after an emotional memorial service for midfielder Jayden Adams. It is not the start to a new campaign anyone at Chloorkop would have envisioned, but it is now the reality the club must confront.

Football has offered a comparable precedent. Liverpool spent the entire 2025/26 season carrying the pain of losing forward Diogo Jota, who passed away in July 2025. Their response throughout that campaign demonstrated how a club can honour one of its own whilst still competing at the highest level — and the journey offers a genuine roadmap for Sundowns.

The first lesson is that grief does not disappear when football resumes. The fixtures continue, training goes on and expectations remain, but the absence of the person lost is felt in every moment. The challenge is not forgetting the pain — it is learning to move forward while carrying the memories.