Rangers star Fashion Sakala is reportedly in the crosshairs of Saudi Arabian club Al Fayha – they have had a £3 million bid for the player accepted, according to an article in the Scottish Daily Mail.
Sakala had previously snubbed a move to Saudi Arabia in the current summer transfer window – however, it appears that the move may be back on.
Should Sakala leave the Ibrox Stadium, he would not be the first Rangers player to depart the club for a significant fee in recent memory – back in July, Antonio Colak joined Parma for £2.5 million. Ryan Kent also left Rangers earlier in the window for Fenerbahce, albeit on a free transfer.
Financially, Rangers cannot hope to compete with teams in the Saudi Pro League as things stand – it is unclear as to whether they wanted to keep the player due to this, as their hand may have been forced by the player and his agent.
How can Rangers replace Fashion Sakala?
While Sakala is a perfectly capable of playing as a winger and as a centre-forward, Rangers have plenty of other players in his positions.
In the striker role, Rangers have signed stars such as Danilo, Cyriel Dessers and Sam Lammers to come into the first team for the 2023/24 Scottish Premiership season.
Meanwhile, out wide, the Light Blues can call upon Todd Cantwell, Ianis Hagi, Tom Lawrence, Abdallah Sima and Rabbi Matondo to play on either the left or right flank.
Will the Gers miss Fashion Sakala’s services?
As talented as Sakala is, as we have mentioned, Rangers already have plenty of players who can usurp his position in the first team upon his departure to Al Fayha, should the move be completed.
As such, Sakala finds himself being almost surplus to requirements at the Gers. For everything that he brings to the team, he is simply not required in the team at this point.
Rangers can use the funds they will receive for Sakala’s transfer and use it to bolster other positions on the pitch, such as central midfield. Currently, the Light Blues have just four central midfielders who will be fit for the start of the season.
