Ex Rangers star could link up with Ibrox and Celtic favourites in transfer deal as 'top level salary' needed
The former Rangers striker could link up with those formerly of Ibrox and Celtic.
One Ligue 1 side’s forward line could be set for the full Old Firm treatment - as an ex Rangers star could join Ibrox and Celtic favourites already there.
RC Lens are enjoying a fine season in France and are locked in a title fight with PSG, four games behind the Champions League holders. Odsonne Edouard, who netted 87 times in a highly-impressive Celtic stint, has been a key focal point up front and Abdallah Sima has played his part down the flanks. He turned heads at Rangers during a loan from Brighton in season 2023/24 and joined Lens after time at Brest.
Now another player familiar to fans of the Old Firm could join the attack of manager Pierre Sage in Fashion Sakala. His infectious personality won over several fans at Ibrox as he scored 24 times with 15 assists at the Light Blues. He moved to Al-Fayha in the Saudi Pro League in 2023 but his deal there is expiring and European interest is mounting.
Who could Fashion Sakala sign for this summer?
Big wages will be needed but Lens are named as one possible landing spot for the ex Rangers star. Journalist Rudy Galetti claims: “Fashion Sakala is set to become one of the most interesting free agents of the summer, with his contract at Al Fayha expiring at the end of the season. Several Saudi clubs are already working to convince him to stay in the Gulf. However, the situation remains open, and European interest is growing again.
“Among the most active clubs is RC Lens, who have been tracking Sakala for months. The French side considers him a primary target and is now pushing strongly to bring him back to Europe. Lens are trying to use the appeal of playing in European competitions next season, including the potential Champions League factor, as a key argument to convince the player.
“Talks with his entourage have been ongoing for some time, as the club explores the conditions of a possible deal. Financially, any move would require a top-level Ligue 1 salary package, given the strong offers available in Saudi Arabia. At this stage, all options remain open. Sakala’s future is still undecided, but with interest from both Saudi and European clubs, the coming weeks could be decisive.”
Why did Fashion Sakala leave Rangers?
Sakala has previously spoke of his brutal Rangers exit after his relationship with then-head coach Michael Beale collapsed. He said: “That was the hard one. When I was coming back for the new season, I thought the coach would trust me and want me there for the new season.
“He didn’t talk to me about anything or any transfers. He clearly showed me that I wasn’t part of his plans without telling me anything. The time I received a call from Mick Beale was when he told me not to come to the training ground anymore. That was hard for me because I didn’t do anything.
“Players leave clubs but they are not told not to go to the training ground, not told not to be part of the team. You can have clubs that can come in for you but still, you are training with the team. I stayed without training with the club for almost two weeks.”