Saudi Pro League side Al-Fayha announce “dreams don’t die” with Fashion Sakala as Rangers boss Michael Beale keeps the door open to replace the attacker.
Taking to social media, Al-Fayha unveiled their new signing with a special video which played on Fashion Sakala’s catchphrase as the 26-year-old heads out to the Middle East.
The clip includes a montage of several big names heading out to Saudi Arabia this season, as Fashion Sakala joins the likes of Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante and ex-Rangers boss Steven Gerrard in making the switch.
Al-Fayha haven’t been quite as busy as some of their Saudi Public Investment fund backed rivals with Fashion Sakala very much their marquee arrival as things stand.
The Gers are reportedly set to bank around £4m for the transfer with attentions now quickly turning to who Michael Beale might look towards to replace Fashion Sakala.
Fashion Sakala to Al-Fayha: Rangers could reinvest funds
Ahead of this week’s Champions League QR3 clash with Swiss side Servette, the Rangers boss gave some information on the move and the life-changing money on offer for the forward.
But at the same time Michael Beale was clear that Fashion Sakala was set to be an important player at Ibrox this season with the player’s unpredictable but inconsistent return a big loss to the squad.
Whilst the Rangers manager didn’t confirm that the club would be entering the market to replace the Zambian, Michael Beale certainly kept the door open as the club assess their options.
“Fashion Sakala is very close to moving to a team in Saudi (Al-Fayha),” said Michael Beale.
“He was a player I was counting on, a boy I have a really close relationship with, maybe even stronger than with anyone else in the group.
“He’s done very well for us and the strength of the relationship was probably important because the offer for him and his family I felt was a really good one. We spoke at length about it and he leaves with everyone’s well wishes.
“He’ll always be invited back to Rangers but there’s football and there’s life and, financially that was an offer for Fashion and his family that he should have took and he has done that.
“Possibly (we will reinvest the money). It’s not something that’s at the forefront, I think in the forward areas we are quite healthy at the moment.
“Tom Lawrence is back in training and will be back available shortly and Kemar Roofe is obviously back fit; that’s two players we didn’t have last year.”
It’s clear the departure of Fashion Sakala was unexpected this season with Rangers set to mull over their a transfer after the attacker’s switch to Al-Fayha.
Perhaps a move for one early-summer transfer target could be reignited in the wake of the news?
