Sunderland and Brentford monitoring in-form Rangers star amid 'no pressure to sell' claims

Sunderland have reportedly sent scouts to monitor the progress of Rangers summer signing Olwethu Makhanya - but are not the only Premier League club to show an interest in the South Africa international.

The 22-year-old centre back joined the Scottish giants in a reported £3m deal from MLS outfit Philadelphia Union during the summer transfer window and has gone on to make 12 appearances in all competitions during the early months of his time at Ibrox. Makhanya has quickly established himself as a key figure with Derek McInnes side and has played each and every minute of Rangers’ last seven Premiership fixtures and League Cup wins against St Mirren and Glasgow rivals Celtic.

Speaking earlier this month about Makhanya’s progress, McInnes told Rangers TV: "I think it's right for big Makha to get the acknowledgements he's had because he's dealt with everything that's come his way. I need to mention Manny as well because I do think Manny [Emmanuel Fernandez] has been a good partner for him, and obviously getting that sort of understanding in partnerships normally takes a bit of time.

“I think Makha coming from the MLS, a totally different type of football with the MLS when you watch it, it's very slow, very technical, very passive a lot of the time. Whereas you're into the blood and guts of Scottish football, and he's dealt with everything that's come his way. I think he's smooth on the ball, he's clean with what he does; he looks after players individually.”

Of the praise he has received, Makhanya told BBC Sport: "It's always good to get individual recognition but football is a team sport and I feel like I was able to get this award because of everyone around me. Obviously, right now we're in a good run of form so I feel like we're heading in the right direction. For us now, it is just to keep on doing the things that are working for us.”

After earning rave reviews for his performances in recent weeks, Makhanya is now said to be ‘attracting plenty of interest’ from clubs in Serie A and La Liga - but it is Sunderland and Brentford that have reportedly taken personal checks on his progress ahead of the January transfer window.

Join the Echo’s WhatsApp SAFC Channel for the latest news, team & injury updates direct to your phone. Simply click this link to join.

‘The Premier League are also now sitting up and taking notice’

Reporter Pete O’Rourke said: “Rangers are under no pressure to sell centre-back Olwethu Makhanya in the next 12 months, sources have told Football Insider. The South Africa international is already attracting plenty of interest from clubs in both Italy and Spain, and the Premier League are also now sitting up and taking notice.

“Brentford and Sunderland both had scouts in attendance to watch the 22-year-old in Rangers' 3-1 win over Kilmarnock last weekend. However, sources say that the Ibrox outfit remain in a ‘strong position’ to keep Makhanya long-term, as he is tied down until 2030 already. Rangers are well aware that if the defender continues to impress, then the number of interested clubs will only continue to grow in the coming years. Makhanya only joined from Philadelphia Union in the summer, but has quickly become a hugely influential figure for his new club.”

Your next Sunderland read: How Enzo Le Fée left Sunderland’s 1973 FA Cup hero Micky Horswill ‘gutted’ by ending 53-year record