Well, this is a big one. It seemed like the biggest news would be Robby McCrorie wanting to leave the club. Then rumours from the same source on FollowFollow that knew about Leon Balogun first claimed Danilo was close to signing. THEN news was broken by The 4th Official via their Patreon that deals for Antonio Colak and Fashion Sakala were moving full steam ahead. This shows how volatile and crazy the market and transfer window can be. Here’s your Rangers transfer update for Friday.
Robby McCrorie
Chris Jack wrote for The Herald regarding the 25-year-old holding crunch talks with Michael Beale. The talks were said to be ‘amicable’ but it was clear that McCrorie wouldn’t be first choice.
Rangers play a friendly behind closed doors today against Hallescher FC with Butland expected to start. That was always going to happen. Butland wasn’t turning down £60k per week at his boyhood club to not be first choice at Rangers.
The rumoured fee seems to be somewhere around £500k-£1m. I massively respect his decision to seek first team football elsewhere. Although, slightly disappointed it hasn’t worked out for him here.
Is this a deal you expected in this Rangers transfer update? How do you feel about this one? I hope if the fee is as low as what’s rumoured, there’s at least a sell on, on top of it.
Danilo
The hysteria on social media around the 24-year-old Brazilian started on fan site FollowFollow. The same contributor who claimed Leon Balogun was heading to Germany to sign for Rangers (they were laughed at, at the time) has now claimed that the Danilo deal is close to being finalised.
The closest update from a more well known source was the below update from Heart & Hand;
With Colak looking likely to leave, could that move be funding the bid for Danilo? This is one that has fans very excited. I’ve said it previously but it’s one of the few links that has united fans with positivity. If Rangers get this one over the line, the forward area of the pitch is in incredible shape.
Antonio Colak
Via their Patreon The 4th Official revealed that Rangers were close to agreeing a deal worth £2.5m (the fee includes add ons). They also said;
Rangers and Parma have been talking for a while now but finally, the deal is very close to being agreed upon.
The 4th Official via Patreon
I wrote about the recent Bundesliga interest and my thoughts on Colak leaving here earlier in the week. He’s an excellent finisher who had an incredible start to last season. Unfortunately, when the goals dry up he doesn’t offer much else. His link up play isn’t as terrible as some suggest but it’s not up to the standards of a Rangers striker, in my opinion.
If his sale is going towards funding Danilo then I’m all for it. How do you feel about this one? Do you think Rangers would regret selling ‘Tony goals’?
Fashion Sakala
In the same Patreon article, The 4th Official had this to say;
Also, I have been talking with several people throughout the day and it seems Fashion Sakala is also in discussion regarding a move out of Rangers. The club in question is from Saudi Arabia and the transfer fee being discussed is £4m. It’s not close to done, but discussions are well underway.
The 4th Official via Patreon
Last month I wrote about my feelings on Fashion Sakala’s departure. He provides excellent numbers along with huge frustration. He’s nowhere near the finished article and, technically, I’m not sure he ever will be.
This is a risky move for Rangers considering his goal contributions numbers last season and the club will now be relying on the new forwards to settle in quickly. That being said, managing to get £4m for a player who came in for free would be good business. Deals like this represent a change from the board in being willing to sell players when Rangers are offered a fair fee.
Again, if this sale is being used to fund the transfer of Danilo, then I’m all for it. How do you feel about this one? Is £4m enough for Fashion Sakala? Would you rather he stayed as an impact player from the bench?
Conclusion
The next week is bound to be incredibly exciting and will shape how the squad looks come the start of the campaign. It looks like it could be two forwards out and one in, if the rumours are to be believed. There’s also a chance that talks with Cifuentes could kick into gear after LAFCs game on Sunday is over.
So, that was your Friday Rangers transfer update. How do you feel about the aforementioned deals? Is there anyone you want Rangers to keep? Do you think the club should be looking for more from the transfer fees?