Rangers' chances of keeping Olwethu Makhanya in January revealed
Rangers are confident that they can convince Olwethu Makhanya to stay at the club in the face of potential interest from top European clubs, sources have told Football Insider.
Makhanya has been one of the biggest bargains of the Premiership summer window so far after joining Rangers from Philadelphia Union for £3million.
The 22-year-old has been a mainstay in the centre of Derek McInnes' defence since arriving at Ibrox.
He has starred throughout their current six-game winning run and was one of the best players on the pitch in each of their Old Firm wins before the international break.
Makhanya has already been touted for a big move away, but as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, Rangers are comfortable with his current situation and believe he will not be tempted away in January.
He recently featured for South Africa in their 2-1 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying win over Guinea away from Ibrox, with his international appearances only raising his profile even further.
Rangers are not worried about Olwethu Makhanya leaving soon
New data from the CIES Football Observatory claims that Makhanya is now worth around £12m in the current market, so his value has quadrupled in his two months at Rangers so far.
The Gers are in no rush to cash in on his services in January as they fight to return to glory in the Premiership under McInnes.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "He has probably exceeded expectations so far, since his move to Ibrox. If he continues to impress, his price tag is only going to go up, and obviously at some point, if he continues to shine, some clubs from a top five league might try and chance their arm to sign him.
"Right now, I think Rangers are pretty relaxed about it. They just want him to continue performing for them, and as I said, it can only be good for him and for the club long term."
Rangers want to tie Dujon Sterling down to a new contract
Makhanya and Sterling have formed part of a stellar Rangers backline that has kept a clean sheet in each of their last four games.
The English right-back has returned to full fitness to become a key man under McInnes this season.
Sources have exclusively revealed to Football Insider that Rangers want Sterling to sign a new contract in the coming months to ward off potential interest from clubs in the UK and abroad.
His current deal is set to expire in 2028 after he signed an extension back in 2024.