The exact transfer fee Rangers are set to pay for Philadelphia Union defender Olwethu Makhanya has officially emerged from the United States, providing definitive clarity following conflicting reports in Scotland.
The Scottish Sun broke the news on Monday (27 July) evening that Ibrox chiefs were in advanced talks for the 22-year-old South African centre-back, placing the valuation at £5million.
Respected journalist Chris Jack quickly followed up, defying that £5m figure and stating that negotiations were progressing around a lower £3m valuation.
Now, reporting directly out of North America has revealed the precise figures agreed between the two clubs.
What are your expectations for Olwethu Makhanya?
The centre-back is set to cost £3.4m…
Olwethu Makhanya to Rangers: The view from the United States
Writing on X, Jonathan Tannenwald – Philadelphia Union correspondent for the Philadelphia Inquirer – confirmed that the deal is on the verge of completion, putting the total outlay at $4.5m (approximately £3.4m) plus a sell-on clause.
He wrote: “Olwethu Makhanya to Rangers is close to done, I’m told. Around US$4.5 million plus a sell-on fee. (No specifics on that yet).
“He gets his move, Rangers get a guy they’ve been watching, and I believe the Union get more money than was initially on the table from Belgium.
Independent Philadelphia Union reporter Joe Tansey also corroborated that discussions advanced significantly over the week, although he is unaware of the specifics of the deal.
That aligns with Derek McInnes’ post-match comments on Sunday, when he said the Gers are hopeful of getting another signing across the line by Wednesday.
How the deal was unlocked after AWOL drama
The agreement brings an end to a tense standoff in Major League Soccer.
Union had previously rejected multiple bids for Makhanya, including a £3m bid from a club in Belgium.
The rejections left Makhanya frustrated, leading the defender to go AWOL from training in an attempt to force through his dream move to Europe.
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The South Africa international felt Union had broken their promise of allowing him to move across the Atlantic if an offer was made.
Philadelphia, though, were of the view that the proposal also had to make sense for them.
Rangers‘ decision to offer a financial package worth £3.4m, while inserting a sell-on clause, finally persuaded Union executives to sanction the transfer.
Editorial verdict
While initial Scottish media estimates swung between £5m and £3m, the £3.4m plus sell-on structure reported out of the US represents fair business for all parties.
Rangers secure a high-upside 22-year-old target they have scouted extensively, while Philadelphia receive a higher fee than their Belgian proposals offered.
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