Rangers FC defender and Bafana Bafana international Olwethu Makhanya is reportedly attracting interest from clubs across Europe following an impressive beginning to his career in Scotland.
The 22-year-old Durban-born centre-back has quickly established himself at Rangers after arriving from Philadelphia Union in July, with reports suggesting that scouts from England, Spain, Germany, France and Italy are monitoring his performances.
Premier League and Other Top Leagues Watching
According to reports from TEAMTalk, as cited by SoccerBeat, Makhanya has emerged as a player of interest to clubs in each of Europe’s five major leagues.
The reports indicate that Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga and Ligue 1 clubs are following the defender’s progress. Rangers could potentially receive enquiries during next summer’s transfer window if Makhanya maintains his current level of performance.
There has been no indication that Rangers are actively looking to sell the defender, with the reported interest instead reflecting the attention his early performances have generated.
Makhanya Has Started Every League Match
Makhanya’s numbers underline the strong start he has made since moving to Glasgow.
He has started all six of Rangers’ league matches, accumulating 540 minutes of playing time. During those appearances, Rangers have recorded four clean sheets, while Makhanya has earned an average match rating of 7.46.
His distribution has also been one of the notable features of his performances. The centre-back has completed 323 passes at an 85.2% success rate.
Impressive Display Against St. Mirren
One of his standout performances came during Rangers’ 1-0 victory over St. Mirren.
Makhanya completed 62 of his 67 passes for a 93% completion rate. He also attempted seven progressive passes and completed five, while five of his seven long-ball attempts found their target.
The statistics highlight his willingness to contribute to Rangers’ build-up play rather than simply concentrating on defensive duties.
Strong Defensive Numbers
Makhanya has also made a significant contribution without the ball.
Across his first five matches, he won possession 27 times and registered 20 clearances, four blocks and five interceptions. His clearance tally has subsequently increased to 24.
The defender won four of his first five tackles and accumulated 30 duels overall, further demonstrating his involvement in Rangers’ defensive work.
Aerial Ability Adds Another Dimension
The South African has also performed competitively in aerial situations.
Makhanya won 13 of 24 aerial duels, placing him third among his Rangers teammates in that category.
His statistics suggest that he has been able to contribute in several areas, combining defensive strength with an ability to move the ball forward from the back.
Makhanya Making an Impact in Possession
The young defender has not limited his contribution to passing from the defensive line.
He ranked second in the Rangers squad for carries and completed four dribbles during the period covered by the statistics. He also created four goal-scoring opportunities.
Those figures have added another element to his game and may be among the factors attracting attention from clubs elsewhere in Europe.
From Marumo Gallants to Rangers
Makhanya’s rise to the European spotlight follows a series of moves during his young career.
He first gained experience with Marumo Gallants’ reserve side before joining Stellenbosch FC. His performances in South Africa eventually earned him a move to the United States, where he represented Philadelphia Union.
The transfer to Rangers in July represented another significant step in his development, and his immediate involvement in the Scottish side has now reportedly put him on the radar of clubs in some of Europe’s biggest domestic competitions.
Rangers Future Could Become a Talking Point
With Makhanya only 22, his development at Rangers will be closely watched if his current form continues.
For now, the reported interest remains at the monitoring stage, but continued strong performances could increase speculation around his future when the next transfer window approaches.
His progress will also be of interest to Bafana Bafana, with the defender potentially becoming an increasingly important option for South Africa at international level.
