Mamelodi Sundowns have held talks with midfielder Thabo Cele after his departure from Kaizer Chiefs, according to SABC Sport.
The public broadcaster reported on Tuesday that discussions were at an advanced stage, but said no agreement had been confirmed.
Cele and Chiefs ended his contract by mutual consent on Monday night. The 29-year-old had not travelled with the club for its pre-season tour of Spain and had been training separately while his departure was negotiated.
The midfielder joined Chiefs after playing in Europe, but spent about 18 months at Naturena. SABC Sport reported that new coach Fernando Da Cruz did not include Cele in his plans for the season.
Sundowns are considering reinforcements as they balance domestic and continental fixtures. Cele is available as a free agent, which means a prospective club would not have to negotiate a transfer fee with Chiefs.
The Pretoria club recently added former Orlando Pirates right-back Deano van Rooyen to its squad. It has not publicly announced Cele as a signing.
A move would keep Cele in the Betway Premiership and give Sundowns another experienced option in central midfield. His spell in Europe included football in Portugal, Poland and Russia before he returned to South Africa.
Neither Sundowns nor Cele had issued a public confirmation of an agreement by Tuesday afternoon. Until a deal is announced, the talks remain a reported transfer negotiation rather than a completed signing.
