- Bafana Bafana star Olwethu Makhanya won the Scottish Premiership Player of the Month award for September
- Turkish transfer insider Ekrem Kanur reported that Sunderland sent scouts to watch Makhanya in Scotland
- A football analyst told Briefly News exclusively that Makhanya has what it takes to make the step up to the EPL
Rangers FC and Bafana Bafana defender Olwethu Makhanya has caught the attention of two English Premier League clubs, with scouts believed to have been in attendance to assess the 22-year-old's performances in Scotland.
Makhanya was named Scottish Premiership Player of the Month for September, an accolade that coincided with Rangers winning all five of their fixtures during the month, including four Premiership matches. Earlier reports had indicated that clubs across England, Spain and Italy were monitoring the South African defender's progress.
Sunderland and Brentford Circle Makhanya
Turkish transfer insider Ekrem Kanur reported that Sunderland dispatched scouts to watch Makhanya during a recent Scottish Premiership fixture. A separate report identified Brentford as the other English top-flight club tracking the defender.
Football analyst Moses Mbogo, speaking in an exclusive interview with Briefly News, reflected on what the reported interest means for Makhanya's career trajectory.
"Makhanya didn't get the chance to prove himself to the world during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but his move to Rangers have proved to be the game changer for him," Mbogo said.
Analyst Backs Makhanya for EPL Move
Mbogo said he closely follows European football and that the reports linking Makhanya to clubs in England are not surprising given his form.
"I follow European leagues a lot, especially the English Premier League, and there have been reports that he's being monitored by some of the clubs in England," he said. "I think next summer he should consider moving to the EPL. He's got what it takes to play in such a league, same as his fellow South African international, Mbekezeli Mbokazi."
Makhanya's rise in Scotland has established him as one of South African football's most closely watched exports, with the Player of the Month recognition lending further credibility to the transfer speculation surrounding him.
Source: Briefly News
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