Philadelphia Union reject bid for South Africa World Cup defender Makhanya: Sources

The Philadelphia Union have rejected an offer for South Africa international center back Olwethu Makhanya from a top Belgian club, sources briefed on the bid tell The Athletic.

The Union view the bid as nowhere near his value, while Makhanya has made it clear to the Union he is ready to move to Europe, sources add. He is under contract through 2027.

Makhanya, 21, played a starring role in 2025 for the Union, who won the Supporters’ Shield. He has made 53 first-team appearances.

The center back was called into South Africa’s World Cup squad and made his senior national team debut last week.

The Union declined approaches for Makhanya last summer as the club pushed for the Shield, sources say. Makhanya was glad to stay to push for trophies.

Moving Makhanya would constitute a complete rework of the Philadelphia back line that brought so much success and conceded a league-low 35 goals in the regular season. The club transferred stalwart defenders Jakob Glesnes (LA Galaxy) and Kai Wagner (Birmingham City) this winter. It’s no surprise, perhaps, that the Union have struggled in 2026, sitting bottom of the league with seven points after 15 matches.

The club parted ways with head coach Bradley Carnell as the league entered its World Cup break and doesn’t play again until July 22. Ryan Richter has stepped in as interim coach.

Philadelphia has been light at center back this year due to absences. The club signed Geiner Martinez and Japhet Sery Larsen to try to remake the defense, but Sery has started just nine games and Martinez only four. The club also added youth talent Finn Sundstrom and has U.S. youth international center back Neil Pierre on loan at Danish club Lyngby.

Pierre’s loan ends this month, and the Union want to integrate him into the first team, sources say, but interest abroad remains. The club doesn’t plan to entertain permanent transfer offers for Pierre this summer, but another loan is possible, per sources.