The future of Ianis Hagi has been the topic of debate amongst Rangers fans this summer.
The Romanian international playmaker, 25, was once amongst the brightest talents at Ibrox with plenty hoping the kid had what it takes to make it to the very top of the game.
A creative midfielder who had an eye for goal, Rangers fans still often see Ianis Hagi through the lens of that stunning double comeback against Braga in 2020.
Also playing a key role in 55, it took a cruciate ligament injury to devastate Hagi’s Rangers career and since the issue in 2022 the player has never recovered at Ibrox.
Having spent last season on loan with Alavés in Spain, there has been plenty of chatter about what happens next.
But a transfer report coming out of Romania suggests a return to one of Hagi’s former clubs could be in the pipeline.
Hagi ‘agrees terms’ with former club
Having had an extended break following Romania’s appearance at Euro 2024, many Rangers fans are wondering if Ianis Hagi might rock back up at Ibrox training.
This is after Hagi struck a six-figure deal for local media to cover his wedding back in Romania.
But the latest reports have suggested that Hagi is ‘about to leave’ the Ibrox club.
The question is, where will his next destination be?
There have been predictable links to Turkey – Hagi’s father Gheorghe a hero at Galatasaray – but it now appears a return Italy could be in the offing for the attacking midfielder.
That’s because Romanian publication Sport pe Surse have claimed Fiorentina have agreed personal terms with Ianis Hagi ahead of a potential move.
However the Romanian outlet also claims that it remains to be seen if the Italian club are willing to pay the €3.5m (£3m) Rangers hope to recoup for the player.
Ianis Hagi played for Fiorentina as a teenager, moving to the Serie A side from Viitorul Constanța as a 17-year-old in 2016 before playing two seasons with the club.
Farul Constanta president Gică Popescu – who has links to the Hagi family – was pressed on the interest by Sport pe Surse and wasn’t giving much away.
“If I knew, I wouldn’t tell you,” said Popescu. “I don’t think you should talk to me, but to Ianis. So you should talk to him, maybe from tomorrow onwards”
Rangers hold out for transfer boost
Rangers have been pretty open about needing to recoup transfer fees for their players in order to kickstart their own business this summer.
Not only is Ianis Hagi – who is contracted to the club until 2026 – a sellable asset but the midfielder is on a not inconsiderable salary of €1m (£850k) per year, or £16k per week.
Rangers have also routinely faield to get value for their players over the years and should the club recoup £3m – the fee spent on Hagi in 2020 – it will go down as solid business in a tight summer.
Ianis Hagi was only a teenager the last time he ventured to Fiorentina with the midfielder’s move to Rangers coming after a stint in Belgium with Genk.
Perhaps Hagi has unfinished business in Florence and we’ll keep a close eye on the situation this week.
