Celtic’s deal for Rivaldo Coetzee fell through last month.
Mamelodi Sundowns boss Pitso Mosimane has been quoted by The Scottish Sun as saying that he thinks Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers could return with a new move for Rivaldo Coetzee in the future.
The Bhoys made calculated moves during the transfer window, adding midfielders Kundai Benyu and Olivier Ntcham, as well as winger Jonny Hayes, on permanent deals, before landing wide men Patrick Roberts and Odsonne Edouard on loan from Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain respectively.
Celtic were still in the market for another addition though, as manager Brendan Rodgers wanted to land another central defender, given recent injuries to the likes of Jozo Simunovic, Erik Sviatchenko and Dedryck Boyata, which had forced midfielders Nir Bitton and Kristoffer Ajer to play at centre back.
The player Rodgers identified as his solution to the problem was South African defender Rivaldo Coetzee, with a move from Ajax Cape Town all agreed late last month.
However, the 20-year-old defender ended up failing a medical with the Bhoys, and returned to Ajax Cape Town before eventually being sold on to South African rivals Mamelodi Sundowns last week.
Coetzee’s failed move was a blow for Celtic, and they didn’t find another defender to target instead, meaning Rodgers will have to make do with his defensive options until January at the earliest, barring a shock move into the free agent market.
Now, Mamelodi Sundowns boss Pitso Mosimane has raved about his deal for Coetzee, claiming that his fitness situation is resolved, and he was just too good of a prospect to pass up after his Celtic move fell through.
As quoted by The Scottish Sun, Mosimane also predicted that Rodgers and Celtic may well be back in pursuit of Coetzee in the near future, noting that Rodgers spoke so well about the defender that Mamelodi Sundowns simply had to take a chance on him, despite his initial medical concerns.
“Medically his condition will be sorted. He does not have to go through an operation which would rule him out for nine months like everybody said, said Mosimane. “He will soon be back, I think three months maybe. The specialist gave us a report and we are happy with the report. I think when Brendan Rodgers sees the medical report again, he will be willing to have another look at the player again.”
“Football is a game of moments. He is available, you’ve got to take the chance. Do you want to lose this chance to sign a 20-year-old? Brendan Rodgers speaks so well about the boy because he has been watching his games. He posses international experience Just wait, Rivaldo is a good investment,” he added.
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