Rangers star Ianis Hagi has been spotted in Ibrox pre-season training despite high-profile exit links suggesting the player could move on to the likes of Serie A Lecce this summer.
The Ibrox star, 24, is fighting to get back to full fitness ahead of the new season after seeing the best of the last 18 months devastated by a cruciate ligament injury sustained in a Scottish Cup tie v Stirling Albion back in January 2022.
The injury disrupted Ianis Hagi at a key time in his career with the Romanian international playmaker, and son of legendary footballer Gheorghe, emerging as a key player for the club.
Returning for Rangers in the latter part of the season, and scoring an emotional goal against Hibs at the end of the season, there is some hope that the player can regain his footing at Ibrox.
The Gers certainly trust the attacking midfielder to do so, Rangers having just handed Ianis Hagi a new contract in Glasgow last season.
Despite the images of the ex-Fiorentina and Genk playmaker being put through his paces at the Rangers Training Centre, there is much conjecture surrounding the player’s future this summer.
Ianis Hagi has Rangers decision to make amid Lecce links
Whilst links to Rangers’ northeast rivals Aberdeen have been rubbished, Ianis Hagi has been prominently mentioned as an option for his father’s former club Galatasaray, Liga Segunda side Espanyol and – most pertinently – Italian side Lecce.
According to some reports in Italy, Lecce’s new manager has earmarked Ianis Hagi to spearhead his new look side next season with Rangers potentially open to a sale.
Those initial Ibrox exit links also came with a reported €4m (£3.5m) fee attached to the Ianis Hagi, with claims the Rangers star’s potential suitors could approach the club with a loan-to-buy.
It’s all very interesting given Rangers now have a lot of competition in the same position; Todd Cantwell will likely be first pick, with Sam Lammers, Tom Lawrence and Kieran Dowell also vying for a place.
The one saving grace for Ianis Hagi is that Malik Tillman will likely not be joining the Gers this summer, meaning the Romanian will need to either step up to fill the American’s spot in the squad, or source the minutes he craves elsewhere.
