We are now only a week away from the beginning of the new Scottish Premiership season, Rangers kicking off their campaign against Hearts next Saturday.
And while Philippe Clement’s squad is certainly taking shape – a host of new signings and even more departures putting a fresh spin on things – it’s somewhat remarkable that we have reached the brink of August without any clarity on the future of one Ianis Hagi.
Giovanni Becali, Hagi’s agent, claimed a few days ago that his client was on the verge of securing a long-awaited move away from Rangers, via the Daily Record.
Reports coming out on Romania – via Sport pe Surse – then reported that Hagi had agreed personal terms ahead of a shock return to Fiorentina.
The Turkey-born Romania international spent two years in Florence between 2016 and 2018 but made only two Serie A appearances. Therefore, there is an argument to be made that he has unfinished business over in Italy.
But while there is an acceptance that Fiorentina need players of Hagi’s talents – creative attacking midfielders are in short supply at La Viola – it always felt unlikely that Raffaelle Palladino’s side would prioritise a footballer who struggled on loan at Alaves last term and has barely started a league game since 2022 due largely to a serious knee injury.
Especially when Andrea Colpani was on the market.
Ianis Hagi’s Rangers exit is still uncertain
Unlike Hagi – yet to hit his pre-injury heights – Colpani is a playmaker at the peak of his powers. The skilful Italian scored eight goals and set up four more for Monza in the 2023/24 campaign.
If Hagi would have been a ‘project’ signing – a rehabilitation effort if you will – Colpani should slot straight in at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
Fiorentina confirmed via their official website on Friday that Colpani had signed; something very late-90s about the sight of a lank-haired playmaker holding up the iconic purple shirt once donned by the likes of Gabriel Batistuta and Roberto Baggio.
According to Calciomercato, Colpani joins on an initial loan deal. One that could be made permanent later down the line for £13.5 million.
“He was an important objective, (and) he is an excellent purchase,” Fiorentina hero Alberto Di Chiara tells Tuttomercatoweb of Colpani. “In the current context, he seems really excellent to me.
“Last year, he scored eight goals. Fiorentina needed a player with these characteristics, because they are renewing the midfield and they need someone with these characteristics.”
But do they need two players with those aforementioned defence-splitting talents? The departure of former talisman Giacomo Bonaventura potentially leaves the door open for Hagi, though Colpani’s arrival means that Rangers’ number seven would return to Florence with regular opportunities less than guaranteed.
Is there still a future for him at Ibrox?
On the other hand, could Todd Cantwell’s seemingly inevitable departure from Rangers open the door for a Hagi revival?
Barry Ferguson, the legendary Gers captain, hopes that is the case.
“I must be honest, I’d almost forgotten all about him,” Ferguson tells the Daily Record. “It wasn’t until the Euros began in Germany and I saw him representing his country that I remembered Ianis Hagi is still actually a Rangers player.
“Philippe Clement will have been watching every minute and the manager might have seen enough to think he could have a major asset back on his hands.
“There has never been any doubt about his talent and he’s shown over the last few weeks he’s fully fit and firing again.
“Having heard the manager speak over the last couple of weeks it’s also clear to me that he’ll also be looking to recruit some experienced campaigners. Guys who are ready to hit the ground running and lead from the front as soon as the season begins.
“At the age of 25, someone like Hagi could come into that category. There is no question in my mind that he has something to offer.”
