Take away the Manchester City star’s remarkable collection of silverware, his vast experience and his household name reputation, and the choice between Ilkay Gundogan and Rangers’ £3 million man is far from an easy one.
There are eight years between them – Ilkay Gundogan almost a decade his senior – and what Ianis Hagi may lack in terms of star power, at least outside of Ibrox and his native Romania, he could make up for in terms of longevity, re-sale value, and energy.
Turkish champions Galatasaray are putting plans in place for a new attacking midfielder to arrive in Istanbul this summer.
And while it is far from a straight shoot-out between the Manchester City veteran and Rangers’ revitalised Romanian, Ilkay Gundogan and Ianis Hagi are certainly two of the names high on Galatasaray’s wishlist.
ESPN believe that Galatasaray have already made contact with Gundogan’s camp if, as expected, his second spell at the Etihad Stadium comes to an end this summer.
Given his family ties to Turkey, and a CV which includes a spell at Barcelona alongside an enviable collection of trophies with Borussia Dortmund and Pep Guardiola’s Man City outfit, Gundogan is precisely the sort of big-name acquisition Turkey’s most deep-pocketed clubs have tended to prioritise over the years.
On the other side of the coin sits Ianis Hagi.
If his performances in recent months are anything to go by, Gundogan is well past his peak. Hagi, in contrast, looks to be a man hurtling in the other direction.
Galatasaray eye Rangers’ Ianis Hagi alongside Ilkay Gundogan
Ianis Hagi has stunned pundits and fans alike with his unconquerable impact since returning to the Rangers fold in late-2024.
And while the former KRC Genk starlet would not hog quite so many headlines as Gundogan if he was to join the Galatasaray ranks, it should not be forgotten that he is the son of Cimbom legend Gheorghe Hagi, albeit a footballer now making a name for himself in his own right.
Coach Okan Buruk confirmed his interest in bringing Ianis Hagi to Galatasaray this week.
A serious knee injury which kept him on the sidelines for a year might have put the brakes on a potential switch to Turkey a few years back. But with Hagi fit, firing and making up for lost time these days, Buruk is keen to keep the door ajar.
Galatasaray manager has watched Ianis Hagi for two years now
“During a previous transfer window, we were interested in him. He is a very good player,” Buruk explains. “Unfortunately, he was injured in the past. But now, he is OK. I know he’s playing well at Rangers now.
“I remember him when he was a child here at Galatasaray [during Gheorghe’s time in Istanbul]. He used to be everywhere. He was sitting and watching the training.
“In the last two years, I have always followed Ianis. Now, he is in good shape. He is a good footballer, with potential. I repeat, we were interested in him during a [previous] transfer period, but he plays for another team just now.
“[But] who knows? Maybe one day he’ll play for Galatasaray.”
Whether that day comes in the summer of 2025, of course, only time will tell.
Philippe Clement was seemingly driving the attempt to get him out of Ibrox over the summer. But, following his unexpected return to form and first-team contention, the Rangers boss is now talking up rewarding Ianis Hagi with fresh terms.
“Ianis will be at the end of his contract in May, so there will be negotiations around that,” Clement said back in January. “I don’t have a clue what numbers he has in mind or the club. That’s a discussion between them.
“Of course, I’m happy with how he’s been performing. There was the situation when the season started that was out of my hands. And I’m happy with the discussions in the club, that everybody was willing -from his side and from Rangers’ side – to come together and find a solution.
“It’s been beneficial for the team, clearly.”
