Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has dismissed concerns about the high transfer fee paid for Brazilian striker Arthur Sales, saying that based on what he has seen it has not affected the forward.

Despite Transferoom revealing that the club shelled out over R62 million for the 22-year-old, Mngqithi insists that the financial aspect does not affect his assessment of the player’s performance.

Sales, who joined Sundowns from Belgian side SK Lommel at the beginning of the season, has yet to find the net in three appearances for the club. However, Mngqithi remains confident in the striker’s ability to contribute to the team’s success.

“Maybe because I don’t listen to other people’s news too much, I don’t even know what he earns and how much he was bought for,” said Mngqithi.  

“I don’t know and I don’t even care, because it will end up even affecting me sometimes. So, I prefer not to get involved into people’s business.  

“I don’t even want because I will think if this money was given to me to by a villa or a farm or what what…  

“But honestly speaking, I do not want to question the decision of those who lead me. 

“Because one thing I have is that this club is run by very intelligent and successful people, and I don’t think they would do anything that does not make sense.  

The coach emphasized that he trusts the decision-making of the club’s leadership and believes they would not invest in a player who does not have the potential to make a significant impact.

““As to whether will affect his performance or not, I don’t know and I haven’t seen that. All I have seen in he is committed footballer; he gives his best and he is good footballer player and he is definitely going to help the team and I have no doubt in that one.  

“But the rest of the other stuff, guys, it’s your role to like people’s business. Personally, I’m not into people’s businesses.” 

With Sundowns already holding a comfortable 4-0 lead over Mbabane Swallows in the CAF Champions League, Mngqithi may be tempted to give Sales a chance to prove himself in the second leg. However, the coach will ultimately make a decision based on the best interests of the team.