Bafana Bafana defender Olwethu Makhanya is reportedly attracting interest from English Premier League clubs Sunderland and Brentford following an impressive start to life at Scottish giants Rangers.
The 22-year-old centre-back has made an encouraging early impression in Scotland, with his performances already generating discussion about his long-term potential and possible future transfer value.
Former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness has urged Rangers to move quickly to secure Makhanya on an improved contract, warning that the club could risk losing valuable negotiating power if they delay.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness suggested that extending the defender’s deal could make a significant difference to the fee Rangers eventually command for his services.
“He’s made a very positive start, and I think he’s got all that look about him, but from Rangers’ point of view, they should extend his contract now,” Wyness said.
“I know it’s early days and he’s only had a couple of games, but let’s get it in there now because they’re going to be trying to sell him; there’s no doubt at some stage, because that’s the model that they’ve got.”
Wyness believes Rangers must position themselves to maximise the value of young talents such as Makhanya, particularly if interest from clubs in England continues to grow.
“But they can’t afford to sell him badly, if you know what I mean. And so, they should get that contract extended now. That could make the difference between getting £8m or up to £20m,” he added.
“Rangers should be considering it right now. Once you’ve got a young talent, you’ve got to put a bit of a gamble on it and do it. I think you’ve got to act quickly; otherwise, he’ll get spotted and before you know it, the agents will be in his ear.”
For Makhanya, reported interest from Sunderland and Brentford would represent another significant step in his development, with the defender having already established himself as one to watch for the future.
His immediate focus will be on maintaining his early momentum at Rangers, while continued strong performances could further raise his profile in the English market and strengthen his prospects at international level with Bafana.