Mbekezeli Mbokazi, a 20-year-old South African central defender with Chicago Fire, is being monitored by ten European clubs, including Bournemouth. The other teams reportedly interested are Club Brugge, Anderlecht, Ajax, Utrecht, Sassuolo, Rennes, Eintracht Frankfurt, Nottingham Forest, and Real Betis. Mbokazi joined the MLS club from Orlando Pirates in December 2025 for a fee of approximately $3 million and is under contract until 2029, with an option for another season. Due to his long-term deal, recent international breakthrough, and because Chicago Fire is under no pressure to sell, his transfer fee is anticipated to be higher than his market value. Transfermarkt estimates that market value to be €3.5 million. The defender has 14 caps and 1 goal for South Africa. During the 2025/2026 season, he made 12 appearances in Major League Soccer and 11 in the Betway Premiership.