Orlando Pirates have dismissed reports linking star midfielder Relebohile Mofokeng with a high-profile R31 million move to Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv, insisting that no formal approach has been made for the rising talent.
Club denies contact from Maccabi Tel Aviv as speculation mounts over young star’s future
Earlier this week, reports from Israeli media suggested that Maccabi Tel Aviv had expressed interest in acquiring Mofokeng and that Pirates had placed a €1.5 million (approximately R31.2 million) price tag on the 20-year-old, including a clause for a percentage of any future sale.
However, a source within the club has strongly denied the rumours. According to Soccer Laduma, a “well-placed insider” at the Soweto giants dismissed the transfer speculation, labelling it as “disruptive” and claiming there has been no contact from the Israeli club regarding Mofokeng’s availability.
Efforts by IOL Sport to obtain an official comment from the Buccaneers were unsuccessful, but the club’s silence has not stopped the rumour mill from spinning.
Fan Favourite and International Rising Star
Mofokeng, who broke into the first team under coach Jose Riveiro two seasons ago, has quickly become a fan favourite at Orlando Pirates thanks to his flair, creativity, and confidence on the ball. His rapid rise has also earned him recognition at the international level, with appearances for South Africa.
In 2023, Mofokeng was reportedly on the radar of European giants FC Barcelona, who had made preliminary inquiries. However, those links never materialized into a formal offer.
No Stranger to Israeli League Moves
Should Mofokeng eventually secure a move to Israel, he would follow in the footsteps of several South Africans who have plied their trade in the Israeli Premier League. Notable names include Thembinkosi Fanteni, Tsepo Masilela, Siyanda Xulu, and Dino Ndlovu, among others.
For now, though, Mofokeng remains firmly in the Pirates’ camp, with the club seemingly uninterested in entertaining speculation around one of their brightest young prospects.
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