Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s agent reveals how European club offered ‘peanuts’ before MLS move

Basia Michaels, the agent of outgoing Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, has shed light on the behind-the-scenes intrigues that led to the player’s transfer to the MLS.

Mbokazi has signed for Chicago Fire, who he will join in January, after just eight months as a senior player at Pirates, but the transfer has been criticised by some, who feel the 20-year-old is ‘too good for the MLS’ and should have waited for a European club instead.

However, Michaels says discussions with Chicago Fire started as early as August, even before the season started, with the club initially offering a lower fee before it shot to the reported $3 million (R51 million), following the impressive performances of Mbokazi.

“This is something that has been in the works for a while, even before our transfer window closed – the 21st of September,” Michaels said on Metro FM’s Sports Night Amplified with host Andile Ncube.

“It was definitely not a transaction that could have happened that time, I think there was still so much to get through. This was by no means an easy deal. I remember thinking I might not get this done.

How much was offered by the European club?

“But credit to Mpumi Khoza, he said I can’t fault this kid he gave his all here and I won’t stand in his way. It was not one of those where you say here’s a deal and they say no we are not entertaining deals,” she added.

Them: “Mbokazi’s agent failed him, why didn’t she move the boy to Europe instead of USA”

Also European teams: 👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/OiUK7L9NgK

— B.E.N.Z.O (@Benzo_Ndlovu) December 4, 2025

Responding to sentiments that she rushed the defender into a move to the MLS instead of a club in Europe, the QT Sports Agency boss said there were major inquiries from that part of the world, revealing that she only received a R2 million for the highly-rated defender from a lower league club in Portugal, which she flatly turned down.

“I get it. But once again I will go back to that point to say I don’t think there’s only one way of handling this. I will give an example; I had a scout from Europe he offered me a €150,000 (around R2 million) for Mbokazi and the €150,000 was the end of our conversation,” she revealed.

“I unfortunately had the same interaction when I was dealing with Khanyisa [Mayo], this from Europeans saying that they can’t pay more for an African player. I got a lot of inquiries from other agents telling me that they want my player and I should just sign, I was like hold on, I can’t just sign.”

Mbokazi’s Bafana future in doubt after MLS move

Mbokazi’s transfer to the MLS has been termed as a risky move when it comes to his Bafana Bafana future, owing to coach Hugo Broos’ reservations for the American league, and Michaels waded into the issue as well.

“We had this chat even before we signed with Mbokazi. I respect coach Hugo’s opinion. In my mother’s house she makes it very clear that she who pays the piper plays the tune,” she further said.

“That is exactly who coach Hugo Broos is – he plays the tune, so we can’t be against that. I would be saddened if he excludes Mbokazi because he plays in MLS, I cannot control that and I can’t run away from that.”

Mbokazi is set to play his final match for Pirates on Saturday, when Abdeslam Ouaddou’s team take on Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout final, before he links up with Bafana Bafana to begin preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, after which he will join his new club.