Johannesburg – The rumour mill is churning, and South African football fans are buzzing: could Orlando Pirates winger Relebohile Mofokeng be on his way to La Liga giants, Barcelona?
Recent reports suggesting Barcelona's interest in the young star have ignited a frenzy of speculation, and now, confirmation from an unexpected source adds fuel to the fire.
The incredibly talented 20-year-old has already made a significant impact on the Premier Soccer League (PSL) since his first-team debut in 2023. With 57 appearances for the Buccaneers, he's notched up an impressive 10 goals and 14 assists, showcasing his potential to become a major force in the game. His performances haven't gone unnoticed, and whispers of interest from European clubs have been circulating for some time.
But the latest development comes from a surprising source: former AmaZulu coach, Pablo Franco Martin. Martin revealed that a Barcelona B coach contacted him directly to inquire about Mofokeng’s abilities. This adds weight to the already circulating rumours and suggests a concrete level of interest from the Spanish giants.
In an interview with Soccer Laduma, Martin detailed the conversation: “He (the Barcelona B coach) contacted me to ask about Mofokeng. According to him, someone offered Mofokeng to the club, and the scouting department sent his videos and (videos of) some other African wingers to the coach to watch them,” he explained.
“He asked me about him because they watched some highlights, and they liked him, but they didn’t have enough time to scout him properly, and as I knew him, he asked me directly. That it was when I told him that he is very good and that I would sign him for Barcelona B without any doubt.”
Martin’s endorsement of Mofokeng’s talent carries significant weight. His experience in coaching within the PSL provides valuable insight into the player's capabilities and potential. His unequivocal recommendation – that he would sign Mofokeng for Barcelona B without hesitation – speaks volumes about the young player's promise.
Further bolstering the claims of Barcelona's interest, an insider source, speaking to Soccer Laduma, confirmed that "there have been enquiries from Barcelona on Relebohile Mofokeng."
The source elaborated on the level of interest: "The boy has been monitored by the coaches of the Barcelona B team with interest. They have been following him and made approaches with some of their contacts in the PSL, including certain coaches they know closely, asking about the player. He is a player with potential to play in some of the top leagues in Europe and the feedback has been positive on the enquiries made.”
This insider account corroborates Martin’s statement, painting a picture of a sustained and serious interest from Barcelona in securing Mofokeng's services. The club’s apparent reliance on contacts within the PSL to gather information suggests a thorough due diligence process, further strengthening the credibility of the reports. The positive feedback received by Barcelona from their inquiries points to a high level of confidence in Mofokeng’s potential.
