Khama Billiat will join Orlando Pirates as a free agent in June if a deal for him to sign for Qarabag before the January transfer window shuts on Wednesday does not materialise.
The Azerbaijan club want to get their target Billiat, who desperately craves a European contract before January 31, and have made an offer to Sundowns.
DOWNS WANT R30-MILLION
But Qarabag, the club from a country located at the crossroads of eastern Europe and western Asia, could be scared off by Sundowns' asking price.
A source close to the player says: "I've been told that Sundowns want R30-million. Qarabag are saying it is too much money for someone whose contract is coming to an end. They might lose interest.
"Sundowns are demanding a ridiculous amount. The two figures are far apart from each other."Since joining the Brazilians in 2013, Billiat, who turns 28 in August, has massively contributed to Sundowns' six-trophy haul in the last five years.
Qarabag first made enquiries about Billiat's availability in late November. But they didn't follow up their interest.
They first wanted to sell South African Dino Ndlovu before angling for the Zimbabwe international.
Bafana Bafana forward Ndlovu was sold to Hangzhou Greentown of China for £675,000 a fortnight ago.Billiat, a CAF 2016 Champions League and 2017 Super Cup winner, is desperate for an overseas move.
Sundowns run the risk of seeing the want-away forward leave for free if they don't take the Qarabag offer.
He could have left after Sundowns won the Champions League - he was in the best form of his life at that time and had offers on the table, including one firm one from France. His contract ends in June.
REUNITING WITH MOKOENA APPEALS
Sundowns president Patrice Motsepe has in the past scoffed at offers he deemed to be disrespectful and undermining Downs' own evaluation of their stars.
Billiat appears to have made a back-up plan in the event of a move abroad falling through the cracks.
This week he told a close associate that he has set his sights on joining Pirates...