Rangers like FCSB ace Darius Olaru and Romanian director Dinu Gheorghe believes the club formerly known as Steuea Bucharest should not sell their star man for less than £4.5 million, speaking to ProSport.
Olaru is the best footballer in Romania. And that’s official.
The stylish central midfielder was recently named the SuperLiga’s Player of the Year for 2022. But, with his contract expiring in around 15 months from now, FCSB’s always-outspoken owner Gigi Becali will not be negotiating from a position of strength if Rangers step up their pursuit of a long-time transfer target. A player who appears to have been on their radar since the summer of 2022.
The Glasgow giants, ProSport say, plan to scout Olaru again before the end of this season. Becali wants around £7 million. And Gheorghe feels that – despite the precarious nature of his contract situation – Olaru should not be sold for a cut-price fee.
Rangers like Romania international Darius Olaru
“He is the first player I see leaving Romania for a relatively respectable amount,” says Gheorghe, who worked behind the scenes at the likes of Rapid Bucharest and FC Dinamo.
“He cannot leave below four or five million euros.”
Olaru, while earning comparisons with Kevin de Bruyne, has accumulated nine caps for his country. He scored six goals and set up 12 more for FCSB in 2021/22, while also captaining one of Romania’s most historic clubs.
A central midfielder capable of thriving in more attacking roles and even out wide; Olaru’s versatility, work rate and technical quality will appeal to Mick Beale. And, with Ryan Jack, Steven Davis and Scott Arfield all out of contract, Olaru could form an all-new midfield partnership with January recruits Todd Cantwell and Nicolas Raskin at Ibrox.
“Olaru is a complete player. Olaru is an important player, with this flair that he also has,” Gheorghe adds. “He appears in areas where he should not appear. He sees in areas where he shouldn’t be, and he goes to fix the mistakes of other team-mates,
“You see him sometimes on the left, sometimes on the right. With his experience, he knows his position.”
“(Olaru) seems to me a player too good for Romania,” adds one-time Liga 1 ace Eric de Oliveira. “He does both phases. Defensive and offensive. He scores, he passes.”