Fashion Sakala has taken the unusual step of bidding a fond farewell to Rangers fans before the club itself had announced his departure.
A transfer is said to be close though and the next question will be whether or not he is going to be replaced.
Michael Beale, speaking to the media ahead of tomorrow night’s Champions League tie with Servette, has revealed that Fashion Sakala almost had no choice but to accept the offer to leave Rangers, via Sky Sports.
Fashion Sakala on the move after Rangers transfer update
The manager’s comments, in which he gave an insight as to why the Zambia international was leaving, are interesting because it suggests that he wasn’t planning on Fashion Sakala departing Rangers this summer:
“Fashion Jr is close to a move to Saudi – it has been a good offer for him and his family.
“He leaves with well wishes from everyone at Rangers, but it was an offer he has to take.”
Hopefully, the offer that Rangers received was equally as good and that Michael Beale will be given money to reinvest into a forward line that looked void of pace and of ideas against Kilmarnock.
A fee in the region of £3m to £4m has been reported in the past.
Fashion Sakala might never have been classed as a player with consistency but one thing he could do was cause opposition defences problems for Rangers.
The manager has been backed by the board and the players he has acquired look like they could be successful if a system can be found that suits them.
It’s one thing having an idea and buying players to suit but, if it doesn’t work, the manager has to adapt.
He now has to adapt to Fashion Sakala’s departure from Rangers.
The 26-year old used to stretch defences and put pressure on with a high line, and his searing pace alone was enough to cause chaos.
The Zambian wasn’t perfect but he will still be missed both on and off the park.
