It is not exactly uncommon for managers and directors to refuse to speak out about their interest in players contracted to another club.
But when it comes to a few exit-linked members of this Rangers squad, coy, guarded responses have been in pretty short supply.
Last week, Blackburn Rovers coach John Eustace admitted that Rabbi Matondo was one of the wingers under consideration by the Championship outfit.
Five days on, Eustace opened up on Blackburn’s interest in Todd Cantwell, describing the Rangers misfit as a ‘very good player’ while talks between the two clubs continue to progress.
In the case of Ianis Hagi, meanwhile, Rapid Bucharest certainly were not shy in coming forward either.
Various Rapid bosses – from their shareholders to their head coach – appear keen to tell anyone who will listen just how keen they are to offer the Romania international a return home.
Rangers ready to sell Ianis Hagi and Todd Cantwell
Hagi, like Cantwell, has been exiled from the Rangers’ first team.
After struggling to recover from a serious knee injury, after a poor loan spell in La Liga and having lost his number seven shirt to Oscar Cortes, Hagi is a man stuck in limbo.
One club who will not be making a move for the Turkey-born playmaker, however, is FCSB.
The side formerly known as Steaua Bucharest have ruled out joining Romanian rivals Rapid Bucharest in pursuit, sporting director Mihai Stoica telling Prima Sport that Hagi is a footballer who deserves the chance to showcase his talents at a far higher level.
“It is not honourable for Ianis Hagi for me to discuss him. He is a player who must play in the top five championships in Europe,” Stoica explains.
FCSB won the league last season. They finished nine points ahead of runners-up Rapid Bucharest.
Rapid, then, are keen to make a splash in the market in an attempt to reduce the gap between themselves and the champions.
Shareholder Dan Sucu admits that Hagi is a player Rapid ‘really want’.
“There were discussions with absolutely everyone for the transfer of Ianis Hagi to Rapid,” Victor Angelescu, another of the club’s decision makers, tells Digi Sport. “It’s normal that we want Ianis Hagi. He’s one of the best players who would come to Romania.
“There were discussions with absolutely everyone, but we’ll see. Now, I can’t comment more. I don’t think it’s the time.
“If we manage to convince him, naturally we will be very happy. If not, that’s it. We’ll have to reorient ourselves. There were discussions at all levels, with everyone.”
Rapid Bucharest cannot afford Romania star’s wages
While Rangers certainly would not stand in Hagi’s way – one report even suggests they would be happy to terminate his contract – there are certainly a few obstacles standing in Rapid’s way.
First, there is the issue of whether Hagi would even be keen on a return to Romania. And, secondly, the finances involved in a potential deal are likely to stretch Rapid’s budget to the limit.
Even if Hagi is available on a free transfer, he would likely have to take a sizeable pay cut to make any deal happen.
“It would be nice (for Rapid to sign Hagi), but it’s not possible,” reporter Alin Buzarin explains in GSP. “Because of the difference in salary.
“Let’s say that Ianis would come for free and that he would accept a salary of 30 to 35 thousand euros (a month). Almost a quarter of what he now earns in Glasgow.
“But where would (that money) come from?”
