‘Injustice’ is the word one critic uses to describe the situation Rangers’ £3 million man finds himself in.
A player who, he says, boasts ‘achievements at the highest level. Goals, actions, decisive assists in the national team’.
But while Ianis Hagi remains as important as ever in the yellow of Romania – it was he who sent the Triicolor to Euro 2024 with a terrific strike against Israel in the qualifiers – the forgotten man of Ibrox is facing a very different reality at club level.
Rangers boss Philippe Clement has confirmed that Hagi is not part of his plans for the current campaign. The £3 million signing from KRC Genk has also lost his number seven shirt to the returning Oscar Cortes.
And with proposed moves to Fiorentina and Fenerbahce failing to materialise, a return to Romania appears to be Hagi’s best recourse in terms of securing regular first-team football again.
Ianis Hagi could leave Rangers for Rapid Bucharest
The Rapid Bucharest bosses confirmed on Wednesday that they have held initial discussions over a deal for the Turkey-born playmaker. Shareholder Dan Sucu left no one in any doubt about Rapid’s desire to get a deal done, telling AS that ‘we really want him’.
Victor Angelescu, another of the club’s bosses, has now offered a glimpse behind the curtain into the negotiations that could see Hagi return home for the first time in five years.
“There were discussions with absolutely everyone for the transfer of Ianis Hagi to Rapid,” Angelescu tells Digi Sport. “It’s normal that we want Ianis Hagi. He’s one of the best players who would come to Romania.
“There were discussions with absolutely everyone, but we’ll see. Now, I can’t comment more. I don’t think it’s the time.
“If we manage to convince him, naturally we will be very happy. If not, that’s it. We’ll have to reorient ourselves. There were discussions at all levels, with everyone.”
Angelescu insists that there is nothing ‘imminent’ just yet. Rangers will not stand in Hagi’s way, however, with the Ibrox misfit yet to feature in any of Clement’s matchday squads so far this term.
“I don’t want to make an assessment. There are some things that it is not normal to comment on in public. At the moment there is no imminent transfer,” Angelescu adds.
“We will see. We need to talk to all parties involved and come to an agreement. If we arrive (at an agreement), naturally we will be happy.”
Romania return could save Ibrox misfit
Hagi has been left in no uncertain terms about what sort of future awaits for him in the Romanian national team should he find himself stuck in the Rangers reserves over the next few months.
The country’s new manager – the highly-experienced Mircea Lucescu – suggested this week that Hagi would be dropped from his squad if things carry on as they are.
Mihai Stoichita, the technical director of the Triicolor, agrees that a fresh start away from Rangers would be to Hagi’s benefit.
“I would be very happy for Ianis Hagi to go to Rapid,” Stoichita tells Pro TV. “We would bring a player who has suffered a lot of injustice lately, although I think he is superior to the players he fought for a position in the respective teams.
“That’s my opinion.”
He played more for the national team than the club team and showed his worth,” Stoichita adds. “Ianis Hagi showed his worth in the national team, and without many starts.
“I would be extremely happy (if things changed for him).”
