Orlando Pirates midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi has emerged as a target for his former club UD Oliveirense who are reportedly weighing up the possibility of signing him.
Oliveirense are struggling in the Portuguese second tier and are looking at reinforcements to help them move up from the bottom of the table with Maswanganyi seen as a player that can lift them.
The Pirates man is a key component of Jose Riveiro’s team even though his output has reduced this season with just two goals and an assist in 22 matches but he is a player the Portuguese side know very well.
Maswanganyi spent the early years of his career at Oliveirense as well as at Academica de Coimbra before returning to South Africa in 2022 to join SuperSport United and linked with the Buccaneers before the start of the 2023-24 campaign.
What are Pirates asking for Tito?
“It is no longer just about an inquiry; it is about negotiations now. They really want him back in Portugal,” a source told Soccer Laduma.
“They are looking at the progress he has made and they are happy to bring him back to Portugal. It will all depend on what Pirates are looking at or if UD Oliveirense can afford what Pirates will be asking for Maswanganyi.”
Pirates are reported to be willing to listen to offers in excess of R40 million for ‘Tito’ but it is not known if the Portuguese club will be willing to part with that sum for the attacking midfielder.
Maswanganyi had an impressive 2023-24 campaign when he scored 10 goals and provided 12 assists in 40 games across all competitions as Pirates won the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup, which earned him the Players’ Player of the Season and the PSL Midfielder of the Season accolades.
