Sources: Rangers make ‘definite’ Olwethu Makhanya transfer decision
Rangers will stand firm against potential interest in star defender Olwethu Makhanya in upcoming transfer windows, sources have told Football Insider.
Makhanya is proving to be one of the bargains of the Premiership summer window after joining Rangers from Philadelphia Union for around £3million.
The 22-year-old centre-back has been a mainstay at the back since arriving at Ibrox, starring throughout their ongoing six-game winning run.
He was one of the best players on the pitch in each of their Old Firm victories before the international break.
Makhanya's form has raised doubts over how long Rangers will be able to keep hold of him, but as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, he will remain at Ibrox until the end of the campaign at the very least.
Everyone connected to the club will hope he emerges unscathed from South Africa's three fixtures against Guinea, Eritrea and Egypt during the current break before returning to Glasgow next month.
Olwethu Makhanya set for longer Rangers stay as exit talk dismissed
New CIES Football Observatory data claims that Makhanya is now worth around £12m in the current market, so his value has already quadrupled in his seven weeks at Rangers so far.
He is set to attract attention from several top European leagues ahead of January, but Rangers are in no rush to cash in as they chase silverware on several fronts this season.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "They don’t want to lose him already. Definitely not. They won't want to sell. They'll want to keep hold of Makhanya for as long as they possibly can.
"Makhanya has been a revelation since his move from Philadelphia Union in the MLS. He's under a long-term contract until 2030. So Rangers are in a good position here if any interest was to firm up (into an offer)."
Insider tells Rangers to agree new contract with Makhanya before January
Makhanya's stock is rising at such an incredible pace that the Gers will have to be prepared for outside interest in his services ahead of the next window.
He signed a four-year deal in July, but former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness has exclusively told Football Insider that Rangers should gamble on improving Makhanya's contract terms before January to ward off suitors.
The potential new deal would include increased wages and a possible extension beyond 2030 to stop his representatives angling for a potential move away so soon after his arrival.