An exit looks inevitable this summer for Rangers’ £3 million man.
Where he ends up, however, feels less certian. The forgotten man of Ibrox admitted at the start of 2024 that he would relish the chance to join a La Liga club on a permanent basis, feeling that the slower, more technical Spanish game would make the best use of his guile and creativity.
Then again, an underwhelming loan spell at Deportivo Alaves is unlikely to have La Liga sides queuing up for a man who has had a pretty miserable couple of seasons, form and fitness hard to come by with Rangers.
Ianis Hagi started only two league games at Alaves and didn’t score even once.
But how about a return to Romanian football? The 25-year-old has already been encouraged to stay clear of an emotional homecoming, some feeling that it would represent a massive step backwards from a player who outgrew the Romanian pond while still a youngster.
The admiration he is held in back home, however, means Hagi could be forgiven for being tempted to pursue a move to a club where his every touch would be greeted with raucous cheers from the stands.
Neil Lennon offers Ianis Hagi Rangers exit route
Rapid Bucharest’s new head coach – a man very familiar to Rangers supporters – would certianly relish the idea of working with Hagi at his new employers.
“Gheorghe Hagi was a huge player known worldwide. I can say that he is Romania’s national treasure,” Celtic icon Neil Lennon tells Sport Romania, hailing Hagi Jr’s legendary father before sending a message to the player himself.
“I know that Hagi is nicknamed ‘The King’. I won’t be the ‘Emperor’, maybe I’ll be the ‘Prince’!
“I also say to Ianis Hagi; ‘Come here, come to Rapid!’ I don’t know if we can afford it, but he’s more than welcome if he wants to come to Rapid.
“He had a difficult time at Rangers due to injuries, but when he played he was very good. He is an excellent player. He is always welcome at Rapid.
“Give him this (message) from me.”
Could Jose Mourinho make a move?
Even if Hagi was still part of Philippe Clement‘s plans, the former Genk playmaker would have Todd Cantwell and Tom Lawrence for competition in 2023/24. Rangers also have a decision to make about Sam Lammers, who will return to Ibrox after a far more successful loan spell than Ianis Hagi enjoyed.
A move to Turkey has also been talked up, a close confidante of Jose Mourinho – and the brother of Ianis’ agent – feeling that the Portuguese’s new employers could make a move of their own.
“At the moment, we do not know anything concrete regarding the transfer of Ianis Hagi to Fenerbahce,” Victor Becali tells Fanatik. “At the moment there is nothing.
“But that does not mean that Ianis Hagi could not come to Fenerbahce. Mourinho has always liked Ianis Hagi. Always saw him as a high quality player.
“There are elections now at Fenerbahce. After things calm down, Mourinho also gets down to business and makes a transfer list.
“We cannot confirm now that Ianis will end up at Fenerbahce. But anything can happen in the near future.”
