Rangers star Fashion Sakala is set to stay at the club as English Championship Burnley move elsewhere amid strong links to the Zambian international striker.
Vincent Kompany’s side had been linked with a £3m move for the 25-year-old attacker earlier this week with the Man City legend seemingly looking to add pace and quality to his squad.
But instead the Clarets have opted for a move for Southampton winger Nathan Tella, who has been officially announced by the English second tier side.
According to the Athletic, Burnley interest in Fashion Sakala was legitimate but that the signing of Tella has officially seen this come to an end.
They’re claiming that Burnley contacted Rangers regarding Sakala’s availability with Vince Kompany a fan of the player from Fashion’s time in Belgium with KV Oostende.
However, with Burnley only willing to deal at between £2m and £4m, Rangers’ demands for the explosive forward were believed to be too high and the English club have since moved for Nathan Tella to bolster their forward line this season.
Fashion Sakala to remain at Rangers amid Burnley interest
The Athletic believe that Fashion Sakala will not be going anywhere this season and will remain a part of Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s squad.
This is despite the fact that Fashion is yet to feature under the Dutchman so far this campaign amid competition for places and a slight injury knock encountered in early-season.
With Alfredo Morelos, Antonio Colak and Kemar Roofe in Sakala’s preferred striker berth, and Rabbi Matondo, Tom Lawrence and Scott Wright out right, competition is fierce and whilst Fashion Sakala is rated at Rangers the attacker has his work cut out to reclaim a place in the side.
Despite this, it is expected Sakala will have a role to play in the squad this season.
Burnley aren’t the only side who’ve been linked to Sakala this summer either, with Ligue 1 Auxerre and La Liga pair Real Sociedad and Celta Vigo also mentioned.
Rangers signed Fashion Sakala on a pre-contract deal from Belgian outfit KV Oostende last season after an impressive season in the Pro League.
Now in his second year of a four-year deal, Sakala impressed in flashes last campaign and scored 12 goals despite playing most of the campaign from the bench.
Meanwhile, a former Rangers manager has claimed that the Ibrox side failed in a record-breaking £15m move for a legendary former striker who is officially Glasgow bound.
