Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has opened up about the club’s challenges in the transfer market, with a few of their players on the radar of overseas teams.

The reigning Betway Premiership champions have had a decent start to their league campaign with one win and a draw in two matches. They also progressed to the MTN8 semifinals and will play Orlando Pirates over two legs, starting on Saturday in Soweto.

Yet, the biggest talking point has been the absence of star players such as Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Khuliso Mudau, while Kutlwano Letlhaku is believed to have handed in a transfer request.

Brazilian forward Ribeiro is a wanted man overseas, with his country club, Fluminense, and Qatar SC pursuing him, and Letlhaku has reportedly attracted interest from Portuguese clubs.

“The (transfer) market is always very tough, and after the FIFA Club World Cup, where the team performed at the level that they have, there’s always the instability with proposals that arrive, but the club is very professional with how to deal with these things,” said Cardoso ahead of the clash against Pirates.

“The maturity we have in the locker room will allow players to know that things are being handled in the right way. It will take time because you need time to solve those things, but in proper time, they will be solved.”

Sundowns have parted ways with as many as 12 players in the current transfer window: Neo Maema, Thembinkosi Lorch, Matias Esquivel, Sipho Mbule, Sifiso Ngobeni, Rivaldo Coetzee, Kobamelo Kodisang, Lebohang Maboe, Lucas Suarez, Thabang Sibanyoni, Sanele Tshabalala, and Rushine De Reuck.

Cardoso is on record saying he would prefer to work with a smaller squad of around 30 players.

“The intention is still to reduce the numbers, and we will do it together (with the management). The squad will be smaller than last season for sure… We can’t have players who are never used.”