By Rahim Abdul

Mighty Wanderers have suffered a major setback after key midfielder Francisco Madinga officially parted ways with the club following the breakdown of contract renewal negotiations.

According to sources close to the deal, Madinga was offered a contract extension by the Blantyre-based giants, but talks hit a deadlock when Madinga demanded a K10 million signing-on fee for a two-year deal  a figure the club deemed unsustainable under its current wage structure.

Madinga, who rejoined Wanderers two years ago after a spell abroad with FC Dila Gori in Georgia, has been an instrumental figure in the midfield, bringing international experience and composure to the squad.

A source within the club revealed that Wanderers had hoped to build their midfield around Madinga, but were forced to reconsider due to financial constraints and their internal salary cap policy.

“We value his talent, but we also have to be realistic with our budget,” the source said.

There is a possibility of a return to international football, as Madinga is believed to have attracted interest from clubs in South Africa’s DStv Premiership and Tanzania.

Meanwhile, Mighty Wanderers are expected to step up their hunt for a suitable replacement as they aim to remain competitive in the TNM Super League and cup competitions.