Kaizer Chiefs legend Khumalo advises Relebohile Mofokeng to dump Orlando Pirates for FC Barcelona - 'That’s what they did for Lionel Messi... Barca guys are not stupid'

Relebohile Mofokeng has established himself as a key Orlando Pirates player.

Enjoying regular game time, starting 31 matches across all competitions this season.

His consistency has sparked transfer rumours, including reported interest by La Liga giants Barcelona, and former Kaizer Chiefs attacker Doctor Khumalo believes Mofokeng has what it takes to play at the highest level.

“Come on guys! As a nation, when are we going to pride ourselves on having released youngsters to go overseas and learn? Let’s allow Rele to go,” said Khumalo, as per iDiki Times.

“Let’s not have fear. If Barca could take a young and even sickly Messi out of Argentina and groom him into the world superstar he became, why do we not trust them to do the same with Rele?

“On paper, we know Barcelona is a big team, but I don’t think those guys are going to throw him into the deep end. My reading of it is that they’ve spotted his potential, and they want him now so they can get him ready for the senior team in two years’ time. 

“So, he will be with the B team to learn and understand the culture and the norms of Barcelona. That’s what they did for Messi because he was just a player who had that disease, and they helped him medically and sportingly. All their top players at Barca, your Iniesta, Xavi and Puyol, come from the development," added the Amakhosi legend.

“And I can tell you from experience that Rele will benefit from it. I went to Argentina, which was already established, but when I got there, they had me work with a physical trainer for three weeks, a three-hour session daily to get me fitter. I remember when I came back home, I’d bulked u,p and my parents did not recognise me. 

“I think the Barcelona guys are not stupid, they are going to make sure that this boy is exactly what Yamal is – he is not a big boy, but physically, he is able to take opponents on, and Rele will be able to do that. We must let the players go if the opportunity comes because they are very rare. How can you say no to Barcelona?" the former Bafana Bafana star continued.

“This could be a really historical moment for South African football, and I hope whatever third force that might be against Rele moving there gets released. Forget that it is only the B side; they are not signing him for today; they are looking at tomorrow. They’ve seen potential, and they know what they want to do with it.”

Mofokeng has created an air of anticipation about his future in the upcoming transfer window.

It is to be seen if he will make a move in July, going overseas where he is largely touted to end up.

As a full South Africa international, that has spruced up his CV as he continues to rise.

This is a season the 20-year-old would be keen to be mentioned as being instrumental in Pirates' quest for silverware.

The Bucaneers have already won the MTN8 and are still in the running for the Premier Soccer League title, the Nedbank Cup and the Caf Champions League, leaving Mofokeng with a lot to play for.