Pelembe contract talks drag on

Mamelodi Sundowns have still not reached an agreement with midfielder Elias Pelembe over a new contract.

Pelembe’s contract expires in June and media speculation suggests the midfielder could be on his way overseas or to Orlando Pirates next year.

His agent Tim Sukazi told KickOff.com that they are still far from agreeing on a new contract with Sundowns.

“We have not yet reached any agreement,” Sukazi said.

“We are still in serious discussions with Sundowns and hopeful to conclude a deal before the end of the year because as we know that come the New Year any club will be in a position to enter into negotiations.”

“Until then it’s only Sundowns that can conclude a deal on a new contract with Pelembe.”

Despite negotiations between Pelembe and Sundowns being deadlocked, Sukazi is hopeful that the Brazilians will do enough to convince the Mozambican international to stay at Chloorkop beyond 2012.

“We have had a few meetings with Sundowns in the last two weeks but unfortunately we are still far from agreeing on anything. But I am optimistic that we will reach an agreement before the New Year.”

Sukazi dismissed rumours that his client was demanding almost two million euros to sign a new contract but concedes that Pelembe’s cash demands are worth his services at Sundowns.

“What makes the deal more sophisticated is simply the fact that Pelembe is currently playing at his peak and at his age a new contract will be the most important one of his career,” Suzaki said.

“So under these circumstances this deal was never going to be a ‘walk in the park’.”

In the meantime Sukazi said he will let the speculators speculate about Pelembe’s future until he is ready to say where the midfielder is going.