Ianis Hagi has been urged to consider leaving Rangers after the Romania international was left out by Mick Beale for Tuesday’s 2-2 Champions League play-off draw with PSV Eindhoven with Turkey a potential destination.
By Beale’s own admission, the £3 million playmaker has his work cut out trying to force his way back into the Rangers XI following a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.
Ianis Hagi, after returning to fitness, finds himself behind Todd Cantwell and summer signing Sam Lammers in the pecking order. And while the former Genk ace can also play out wide, his place in the Rangers squad is further complicated by the addition of Abdallah Sima and the revival of Rabbi Matondo, both players finding the net on a raucous Tuesday evening at Ibrox when PSV came to town.
Rangers may look to sell Ianis Hagi
While sources close to Hagi insist that he plans to stay and fight for his place, Beale claims that the Romanian’s camp are also considering alternative destinations. Talks regarding a move to Turkey with Trabzonspor are underway (A Spor).
But could Besiktas be another potential landing spot for a player who’s legendary father – Gheorghe Hagi – spent arguably his best years in the Turkish Super Lig?
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“Ianis Hagi is a good player,” Besiktas coach Senol Gunes tells Hurriyet ahead of Thursday’s UEFA Conference League qualifier against Dynamo Kiev.
“Romania is a country that produces good players. Our relations are also good. Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey are countries with high interaction.”
Trabzonspor in talks
Gunes’ comments are hardly confirmation that Besiktas are set to make a bid for Hagi before next week’s Scottish transfer deadline, however. As things stand, Trabzonspor appear to be the Turkish-based outfit most keen on the talented 24-year-old.
But a Besiktas side who have done plenty of shopping in the British market this summer – signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Daniel Amartey while holding talks with Eric Bailly – may be tempted to ensure that Trabzonspor do not have a clear run at a player who appears to be in need of a fresh start and a change of scenery.