Romania international Darius Olaru has a £4.2 million release clause in his FCSB contract amid claims that Rangers have sent scouts to watch the playmaker in action.
According to ProSport, the Glasgow giants ran the rule over the skilful playmaker towards the back end of 2022/23. But whether Darius Olaru is still an active concern however – the links have gone cold somewhat in recent weeks – remains to be seen.
The Romanian league’s reigning Player of the Year would bring plenty of skill, guile and vision to the Rangers midfield. Though, with Kieran Dowell in and Jose Cifuentes expected to join him, Mick Beale is now likely to shift his sights to a new goalkeeper and a new number nine as the next stage of an extensive summer rebuild gets underway.
Rangers may decide not to sign Darius Olaru
Has the Ibrox ship sailed for Olaru?
At least, with a release clause in his FCSB contract – a very affordable release clause at that – the 25-year-old schemer should still have his fair share of offers this summer, even if Rangers now appear to be looking elsewhere.
“They (Olaru and winger Florinel Coman) have clauses of 5 million euros,” general manager Mihai Stoica tells Orange Sport.
“If someone wants to pay £4,990,000 euros, they will not sign the players. Whoever pays the clause, talks to the players.”
Olaru scored just once during a difficult 2022/23 campaign; his form taking a dip after being crowned the best footballer on Romanian soil. The former Gaz Metan ace was likened to Manchester City superstar Kevin de Bruyne last year due to his defence-splitting capabilities, but a place he could have occupied in the Rangers squad is now likely to have been taken by former Everton and Norwich midfielder Dowell.
“We’ve lacked a left-footer in midfield since Joe Aribo moved on,” Beale tells BBC Sport.
“He (Dowell) gives us a lot of variety. We’re losing Scott Arfield in that area. Kieran comes in with a good passing ability, ability to travel with the ball and score goals.”
