Orlando Pirates are set to step up their interest in former Bafana Bafana and Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar.

The former Everton star is a presently a free agent having been let go by the Toffees in the off-season.

Now 34, Pienaar is believed to have caught the interest of Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns – which has seen Pirates ramp up their efforts to attract the player.

‘The club is all out to sign Pienaar. We will know very soon if he will agree to sign with us or not,’ a source at the club told KickOff.

Pienaar has allegedly also attracted interest from sides in the Netherlands and in China, while Sundowns boss Pitso Mosimane remains interested in the player.

‘Pienaar, what a good player. But I don’t know what is in his mind. Pienaar doesn’t have to play football, he can also retire. It will be good to have him, we will see,’ commented Mosimane.

Pienaar was used sparingly by Everton last season as he made just six appearances across all competitions.