Rangers transfer news: Michael Beale has options amid ‘unbelievable’ update on Antonio Colak and Fashion Sakala
Michael Beale is likely to keep Fashion Sakala and move on Antonio Colak but the Rangers manager has “so many” options this summer, according to Ryan Taylor.
The Ibrox boss has publicly stated that he wanted to bring in two forwards during the transfer window, and has so far bought Sam Lammers from Sampdoria for around £3million [Sky Sports, 16 June].
Alfredo Morelos has left and there are questions over all the remaining forwards, with Kemar Roofe’s fitness also an ongoing issue, but Taylor feels that last summer’s arrival is the most at risk of leaving.
The Express journalist told GIVEMESPORT: “I think Michael Beale is also fairly open to keeping in Fashion Sakala.
“Colak, as well, started the season in unbelievable goalscoring form but sort of fell away. He could leave, but there are so many options on the table for Rangers.”
Swaps
The Croatian international can feel pretty unlucky that he might be the odd man out at Ibrox after hitting the ground running at the start of the previous season and almost carrying the attack early on.
The 29-year-old netting 13 SPFL goals from 24 appearances, which were largely off the bench following injury heading into the World Cup break, which is a solid record for a first campaign in a new country.
But the fact that Beale seemed to prefer the exit-bound Morelos for much of 2023, even accounting for Colak’s fitness struggles, suggests he wouldn’t be averse to taking the money if someone is willing to offer it.
Conversely, Sakala seemed to grow in prominence after Beale took over from Giovanni van Bronckhorst, and while the Zambian can be inconsistent he is also the most direct threat Rangers currently have, with the possible exception of Todd Cantwell.
It would be a significant surprise to see him leave this summer, but should Colak go that would presumably up the incoming quota to at least three.
Lammers is done, and a loan move for Abdallah Sima is looking imminent, so getting both through the doors would in theory leave the rest of the summer to push for Cyriel Dessers.
Perhaps if the Nigerian international can be signed it would allow for Colak to move on, but with the Light Blues apparently unimpressed with Cremonese in transfer talks it might leave the door open for the current Ibrox scorer to get a second chance.
In other Rangers news, a long-linked target is “expected” to sign an Ibrox deal next weekend.