Talk about putting yourself in the shop window.
By his agent’s own admission, finding a club willing to take the £3 million man off Rangers hands is proving to be easier said than done.
Like with Sam Lammers, who’s £20,000-a-week wages are putting him out of the reach of Eredivisie clubs, the sheer size of Ianis Hagi’s contract may force Rangers to once again consider short-term bids for a man who spent last season on loan at Deportivo Alaves.
But, after playing a shining role in the 1-1 draw with Slovakia which secured Romania’s place in the last-16 of the European Championships, Hagi has surely done his hope of finding employment away from Ibrox no harm at all.
Hagi has tended to play his best football in Romanian yellow of late. Lest we forget it was his goal against Israel which fired the Tricolour to the Euros in the first place.
Unfortunately, his form at club level has not been quite so impressive. Hagi struggled for starts with Alaves, yet to really bounce back from the serious injury which kept him out for so long at Rangers.
Time will tell if that Slovakia display was the start of a new beginning, or a false dawn.
Ianis Hagi facing uncertain Rangers future
“He has a contract with Rangers,” Giovanni Becali tells Fanatik, the final call likely to be made on Hagi’s future in July. “He will go there (for pre-season), start training and then the decision will be made if they will loan him. He has a bigger contract. It’s hard (to find a buyer).
“He needs continuity.”
Becali’s brother, Victor, recently floated the idea of Jose Mourinho taking Hagi to Fenerbahce.
Victor is a close friend of the new Fener boss. And it is no secret that Mourinho was interested in Rangers’ £3 million misfit when he was in the Tottenham Hotspur dugout a few years ago.
As far as Giovanni is aware, however, there is nothing connecting Hagi and Fenerbahce beyond pure speculation.
“There is no discussion with Fenerbahce,” Becali tells Fanatik. “If there was a Romanian player at Fener, I would be called immediately. Mourinho only started (pre-season) training yesterday.
“I know the situation very well. If Mourinho needs a player, he would contact me. About Ianis, there were simple speculations.
“That doesn’t mean that if I had an offer for Ianis, I wouldn’t be interested.”
Victor Becali feels that Hagi would be very well received in Turkey. His legendary father Gheorghe, after all, remains an icon in the country on the back of his glorious five year spell at Galatasaray a quarter of a century ago.
“Yes (Hagi would suit life in Turkey well),” adds Victor. “His name alone would give him a favourable reception.”
Neil Lennon opens door to Ibrox man
For now, Hagi’s Rangers future remains in limbo.
Philippe Clement already has Todd Cantwell and Tom Lawrence fighting it out for the number ten role favoured by the former KRC Genk youngster. Rangers are reportedly also keen to add another creative talent to their ranks in Excelsior’s Couhaib Driouech, per FC Update, though he is more comfortable coming in off the wing than he is starting through the middle.
Hagi may yet be given a potential lifeline by a Celtic legend, however.
New Rapid Bucharest boss Neil Lennon has opened the door for Hagi to return to Romania. Though financing a deal for a player who set Rangers back £3 million may be beyond his new side.
“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.”
Perhaps there could be a chance of a swap deal involving Hagi and the Rangers linked Albion Rrahmani.
