Walter Zenga, the manager of Serie A club Cagliari has confirmed his intention to attempt to sign Rangers loanee Ianis Hagi this summer, as quoted by the Daily Record.
The Romania international joined the Gers on a six-month loan deal back in January which will soon expire.
However, Rangers have an exclusive option to buy the playmaker from Genk this summer for a fee believed to be in the region of £4 million.
Gers sporting director Ross Wilson says a decision hasn’t yet been made on the transfer though and both Lazio [Scottish Sun] and Sevilla [Daily Record] are also reportedly showing interest.
Zenga’s Cagliari have now also thrown their hat into the ring.
“I’ve been following the progress of Ianis Hagi for three years,” he said, as quoted by the Daily Record. “Of course, I want to bring him to Cagliari.”
“Three years ago, I was manager of Crotone and I tried to bring Ianis to the club on loan from Fiorentina, where he was wasn’t getting a game.
“But Gheorghe Hagi wouldn’t sanction the move because he wanted him to return to Romania. He is a huge talent and would have coped at Crotone 100 per cent.”
Verdict
It’s clear that Zenga, who has managed 17 different clubs since retiring from playing in 1999, is a serious admirer of Hagi.
Having only been appointed at Cagliari in March, he’s yet to take charge of a fixture, but he obviously believes he could work the 21-year-old into any squad he’s in charge of.
Yet, it seems unlikely that of all the options allegedly on the table, Hagi would opt for a move to Sardinia.
Lazio are a much bigger Serie A club, while Sevilla would offer an opportunity to play in La Liga, a competition the player has previously spoken highly of.
Given that they have the first refusal, though, Rangers must still be favourites to tie him down.
He may not have set the Premiership alight in his short time in Scotland but he showed real promise in the Europa League and the President of his former club Viitorul Constanta, Gheorghe Popescu, is convinced he wants to remain at Ibrox [Gazeta Sporturilor].
One thing is for sure, plenty of Bears hope he’s tied down to a permanent deal.
