Brazilian forward Lucas Ribeiro Costa has set the cat among the pigeons by labeling Mamelodi Sundowns his “former club”, claiming there is a “dispute” between the two parties.

Ribeiro, 26, has been a subject of intense transfer speculation, with reports that Qatar SC was close to signing him and also that his home country club, Fluminense, is also in the picture.

Sundowns, however, are accused of attempting “to drive up the (transfer fee), again and again, in an unreasonable manner, without any regard for the player’s personal interests, which made the deal impossible”.

According to Ribeiro, he is free to leave the Tshwane club.

“I believe that I have just cause to terminate my contract with Mamelodi Sundowns FC, which I will explain before the FIFA Football Tribunal,” reads the statement from the PSL 2024/25 Footballer of the Season.

“However, in any event, following the (Lassana) Diarra ruling by the CJEU, there is no doubt that the dispute between me and my former club will not prevent me from continuing my career with peace of mind: indeed, following its own regulations (as amended in light of the Diarra judgement), FIFA will see to it that the international transfer certificate be immediately delivered upon request by my future employer,” said Ribeiro.

In 2016, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that clubs cannot freeze players out and block their careers while holding them under contract.

Should a player be unpaid or sidelined without good reason, they have just cause to terminate their deal. This protects players’ rights to work and stops clubs from abusing contract power.

Ribeiro is represented by Belgian lawyer Jean-Louis Dupont, who’s also in Diarra’s corner.

Ribeiro, whose contract with Sundowns expires on 30 June 2028, continued, “I have received expressions of interest from various clubs, including some within the European Union, and I will now consider what is best for the future of my career in order to make the right choice, i.e., the one that will allow me to flourish as a sportsman and try to provide for the future of my family, knowing that a player’s career is short and unpredictable.

“As a reminder, following the DIARRA ruling, my next employer will not be involved in the dispute between me and Mamelodi Sundowns FC, neither from a disciplinary perspective nor financially.”

Sundowns have also had their say and insisted the club has and is always willing to negotiate with interested clubs.

“The success and achievements of Mamelodi Sundowns over the past two decades have been based on its deep commitment to the development, growth, and financial sustainability of the club’s players,” the club’s statement reads.

“Sundowns has made significant investments in its youth academies and in developing and training boys and girls football players to represent the Club, the South African, and other national teams in competitions on the African continent and globally.

“Mamelodi Sundowns has also made substantial investments over the years in recruiting, training, and acquiring the services of some of the best South African, African, and South American football players.

“It has always been the policy and commitment of Mamelodi Sundowns to engage and negotiate with football clubs in Africa and worldwide that are interested in recruiting and acquiring the services of the club’s players. The objective of Sundowns in these discussions and negotiations has always been to advance the interests of the player and the Club and to be fair and just and to contribute to the fulfilment of the interests of all parties.

“Mamelodi Sundowns has received inquiries, particularly after the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, from a few prominent football clubs that have expressed an interest in acquiring the services of certain Sundowns players.

“Mamelodi Sundowns is committed to continuing with these discussions and negotiations as part of its policy and deep commitment to advance the interests of the players and the Club, as well as the fulfillment of the objectives and interests of all parties.

“The players, technical team, management, board, and the chairman of Mamelodi Sundowns, Tlhopie Motsepe, are all motivated and inspired to compete and succeed in all competitions in South Africa and on the African continent.”