Only a few weeks ago did it seem like boyhood Galatasaray fan Ianis Hagi could be on his way back to Rangers.
After a stuttering season on loan with La Liga Alaves, all the sounds coming from the player’s camp suggest that a return to Glasgow is on the cards.
Even Ianis Hagi’s father – the legendary Maradona of the Carpathians Gheorghe Hagi himself – has suggested that the 25-year-old is coming back to Ibrox with a point to prove.
But the latest reports, published in Turkey but apparently stemming from Romania, suggest that the only way Ianis Hagi will return to Ibrox next season is via the Champions League.
Ianis Hagi to Galatasaray?
That’s because the likes of Turkish outlet Aksam are claiming that Galatasaray, for whom Gheorghe Hagi is a legend, are lining up a move for Ianis Hagi this summer.
Whilst the story has been extensively carried by the tabloids in Scotland, it’s important to note that the Turkish report links the claims to un-cited “Romanian press” reports.
But Ianis Hagi and Galatasaray is certainly an interesting prospect for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, the player’s father is a legend at the club whilst Ianis was actually born in Istanbul during Gheorghe’s time at the famous Turkish side.
The attacking midfield playmaker’s legendary father has also been honest about the fact he would one day love his son to play for the Turkish club.
With serious doubts surrounding Ianis Hagi’s capabilities of breaking back into the Rangers first-team squad, the move might also benefit all parties.
A shoo-in to be part of the Romania squad for Euro 2024, the situation will come to a head this summer with Philippe Clement either deeming Hagi good enough for Rangers or the midfielder being moved on.
Rangers playmaker could face Borna Barisic next season
Turkey is obviously an interesting destination for footballers but given Ianis Hagi’s links to Galatasaray we don’t suspect they’ll be messing their prodigal son around.
What’s more there’s a couple of interesting Rangers subplots surrounding these reports.
If Ianis Hagi does move to Galatasaray, then he could face off against Borna Barisic next season with the Rangers stalwart reportedly closing in on a move to Trabzonspor.
John Lundstram – another veteran of the Rangers squad who is out of contract in the summer – is also reportedly a target of the Turkish club.
Currently top of the Turkish Super Lig with eight games to go, if both Rangers and Galatasaray can qualify for a revamped Champions League next season then Ianis Hagi may well return to Ibrox after all.
Only in such a scenario, the Romanian playmaker would be wearing the red and yellow of Galatasaray and not the famous blue of Rangers.
