Ribeiro’s replacement? Sundowns agree R20m deal for Portuguese playmaker

Mamelodi Sundowns are reportedly close to signing a Portuguese midfielder Nuno Santos who is seen as the replacement for the departed Lucas Ribeiro.

Sundowns are still smarting from the controversial departure of Ribeiro, who forced a move out of the club and has signed for Spanish second division club Cultural Leonesa.

That has left the PSL champions short of creativity, something that has been evident in their games this season, and coach Miguel Cardoso has opted to go back home to Portugal in search for a replacement.

According to latest reports, Sundowns have agreed to pay €1 million (R20 million) for Santos from Portuguese top flight side Vitoria Guimaraes SC with the attacking midfielder set to arrive in South Africa on Monday to complete his move ahead of transfer deadline.

What can Sundowns expect from Nuno Santos?

The PSL transfer window closes on Monday night and Sundowns are among clubs in a race against time to make reinforcements to the squad after signing just two players so far.

Santos is an attacking midfielder, who can play behind the striker in the No10 role or as an inverted winger just the way Ribeiro used to operate, and will be expected to add creativity and goals to Sundowns who have not been at their fluid best this term even though they have been winning.

The 26-year-old, who is set to sign a long-term deal at Sundowns, is yet to play for Portugal at senior level but has represented the country from U16 to U21 and was part of the squad that won the 2019 U17 European championships.

Santos has made 90 appearances for Vitoria Guimaraes, scoring eight goals while providing 16 assists, among them three goals and four assists in 33 games last season. He has so far played five games and provided an assist this season.