Rangers star Fashion Sakala has reportedly turned down the offer of a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia and Al-Fayha to stay and fight for his place at Ibrox.
According to Mail + the 26-year-old Zambian international has knocked back the opportunity to move to the Middle East alongside a host of top footballing names in the country.
This comes with earlier reports in the 4th Official claiming that Fashion Sakala was the subject of £4m interest from Saudi Arabia ahead of the new season.
Signed by Rangers on a free transfer in the summer of 2021, the Zambian is a popular player at Rangers but has also been a source of huge frustration in his two seasons at the club.
Someone who has talent and who can deliver in the final third of the park, for every moment of Fashion Sakala magic there has been a calamity or big miss which has soured his time in Glasgow.
If Rangers can find a way to polish the obvious talent the African has then they will have a very dangerous player in Fashion Sakala, but it appears the Gers were willing to sell the forward to Saudi Arabia.
Fashion Sakala turns down Saudi Arabia move
Whilst the report doesn’t expand on why Fashion Sakala didn’t fancy the move to Saudi Arabia, the claim comes after the attacker came off the bench in the 3-1 friendly defeat to Olympiakos at Ibrox.
Speaking after the game, Rangers boss Michael Beale admitted that exits are likely with “three or four” first teamers subject to enquiries.
“There’s been enquiries about three or four players,” explained Michael Beale.
“I think next week we’ve got to name a European squad for the first two games, so naturally one or two players won’t be able to make that.
“I think that as we get closer to it and I’m not using everybody you’ll find that one or two, they want to have guarantees of playing and I’m not willing to give that so they’ll have to hedge their bets one way or another.
“But it’s clear we’ve recruited well, it’s clear that the team is going to take a bit of time to come together, but I’m excited because we’re playing against really good opposition to prepare.”
