Kaizer Chiefs Expand Transfer Hunt with Nigerian Winger Kingsley Michael Back on Radar

Kaizer Chiefs are ramping up their transfer activity ahead of the 2025/26 season, casting their net wider in a determined bid to bolster their attacking options. With a significantly increased transfer budget and a fresh vision under the current technical team, the Soweto giants are targeting key reinforcements across Africa — and one name that has resurfaced is Nigerian winger Kingsley Michael.

Michael, currently plying his trade with US Monastir in Tunisia, has once again emerged as a serious target for Chiefs, insiders have confirmed. The 25-year-old has previously attracted interest from the Glamour Boys, and his performances in the Tunisian topflight have reignited the club’s pursuit.

“He is currently playing in Tunisia and has been performing really well,” a source close to the situation told Soccer Laduma. “Scouts have been watching him, and that’s why Chiefs are looking at him again. They are still finalising their list, but Kingsley is certainly one of the players being seriously considered.”

Chiefs’ scouting activities now stretch far beyond South Africa, as the club adopts a more aggressive recruitment approach, buoyed by a reported budget increase from around R60 million to R100 million. This new financial muscle is enabling the club to compete for higher-profile signings and to act decisively in the market.

The strategic interest in Michael may also be influenced by the fact that the player is based in head coach Nasreddine Nabi’s home country, Tunisia. This proximity allows for a more detailed assessment of his capabilities, thanks to Nabi’s existing network and deep understanding of the league.

“You know the budget went up?” a second insider noted. “It’s because they want to go all out to land their targets this season. Chiefs are working to bring in Kingsley, but they’ll need to be prepared to spend good money to get him from Monastir.”

Michael is no stranger to elite-level football. He previously played for Bologna in Italy’s Serie A and enjoyed stints in Serie B with Cremonese. He also gained experience in Austria, turning out for Leoben and SV Ried, which has helped shape a versatile and tactically aware wide player.

With Chiefs also having looked at local options such as AmaZulu’s Tshepang Moremi, the inclusion of Michael on their radar signals an intent to combine local talent with proven international experience. The club is clearly seeking players who can immediately impact their frontline — an area that has lacked consistent output in recent seasons.

Michael’s flair, pace, and ability to play in multiple attacking roles could provide the creativity Chiefs have been missing, particularly against tightly packed defences in the DStv Premiership.

Despite reaching out, Soccer Laduma received no comment from Chiefs at the time of publishing. However, the signs point to a busy and ambitious off-season at Naturena, with Michael just one of several high-calibre names in the conversation.

As the 2025/26 campaign looms, Amakhosi fans will be watching closely to see if the club’s revitalised transfer strategy bears fruit — and whether Kingsley Michael will be wearing gold and black come August.