Michael Beale could be guilty of costly Fashion Sakala error as £4m Rangers transfer exit news emerges
An unnamed Saudi Arabia club are closing in on a deal with Rangers to sign Fashion Sakala and manager Michael Beale may well be guilty of a costly error letting him go.
Sakala was in spell-binding form throughout last campaign, finishing the season with a stunning 12 goals and seven assists proving he can become a key component for Beale in the forthcoming season after the departures of Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent.
However, in a stunning new twist, Gers fans could well be seeing the back of their Ibrox favourite in a potential new blunder by Beale and the whole club.
According to The 4th Official (13 July) the Bears are in talks over a £4million transfer for the Zambian winger, with interest appearing to come out of nowhere.
Beale has already welcomed seven new signings to Ibrox this summer, including four exciting attacking signings, but it looks as though exits are now on the agenda ahead of more business.
Writing on their official Patreon page, The 4th Official wrote: “I have been talking with several people throughout the day and it seems Fashion Sakala is also in discussion regarding a move out of Rangers.
“The club in question is from Saudi Arabia and the transfer fee being discussed is £4m.
“It’s not close to done, but discussions are well underway.”
With the Gers incredibly busy in the window already, the Scottish Sun reported on 9 July that Beale has to sell three big-name players this summer if he is to further fund his Ibrox revolution this summer, with chairman John Bennett clearly putting his foot down to ensure the Gers manage to balance the books financially.
Rangers have certainly struggled to offload a number of their bit-part stars including Colak, Glen Kamara and Rabbi Matondo, with young goalkeeper Robbie McCrorie also now expected to depart too in a potential £500,000 deal (Chris Jack, 13 July).
However, allowing a player of Sakala’s huge importance and attacking could be incredibly costly to their Scottish Premiership title hopes, but more crucially the Gers should be demanding a fee considerably more than the £4m quoted, considering the kind of money Saudi clubs are spending on players so far this summer.
If Rangers are to challenge on all fronts next season, Beale will need more attacking components capable of reaching double figures in goals and assists and that man is Sakala given his tremendous exploits last season, registering 19 goal contributions all campaign.
The additions of Abdallah Sima, Cyriel Dessers, Sam Lammers and Kieran Dowell have been very impressive from Beale, but Rangers will need some familiarity in attack and after Kent and Morelos’ departure, the Gers can ill-afford to lose another crucial member who knows Beale’s system right down to a tee.
His direct running, pace, unpredictability in the final third and ability to commit defenders in order to create space for himself and his teammates is truly something special, and simply cannot be taken for granted at Rangers.
Sakala can win points on his own and should prove the telling difference in Rangers’ pursuit of the Scottish Premiership title, but it seems as if the Gers are seemingly willing to allow him to leave, and for a meagre £4m too.
Serious blunder.
In other Rangers news, a wildcard transfer could now appear at Ibrox this summer.