Rangers have been linked with several up and coming rising stars already as Nils Koppen looks to re-energise a squad in need of repair.
The recruitment chief is casting the net further than before but there could be an opportunity to revisit a player who was once considered as a possible Ibrox target.
Wingers are a priority and there is one youngster who was close to becoming a Rangers player in 2023 who could be back on the market.
Rangers have second chance to go for Alexi Pitu
Alexi Pitu was in fine form for Farul Constanta when he received his first call up to the Romania national team.
The team might be familiar to some as it is managed by Gheorghe Hagi, the link to Rangers then becomes obvious.
To add depth to the rumour, Pitu was also a former teammate of Ianis Hagi, another player who is the subject of transfer speculation.
Speaking last year, Pitu was interested in a move to Rangers and the chance to be reunited with a player he obviously admires:
“Yes I would very much love to play with Ianis again, but first I want to win the title with Farul Constanta.
“I focus on football, I do my training and in the matches, I try to give my best.
“I understand the interest in playing with Ianis at Rangers and of course, it would be very nice.
“But I’m still a Farul player and I need to concentrate only on the important matches we have coming up this season.”
Pitu could be low risk Rangers option
Rangers were unable to get a deal done with Fortuna as Pitu’s contract ran down which allowed Bordeaux to step in and take on the winger to France as they looked to secure a return to a Ligue 1.
Things haven’t quite gone to plan for the 22-year old though and now Hagi Snr is keen to get his former charge back on loan if the option is there.
Bordeaux are looking for a paltry £750,000 to sign Pitu, according to Digisport which makes him easily affordable.
Rangers don’t have a bottomless pit of cash to sign every player they need and, having already done the scouting work on Pitu, might entertain borrowing the tricky creator.
If it doesn’t work out, they can send him back.
As with Oscar Cortes though, if it does and an option to buy has been arranged, it would put Rangers at the front of the queue.
With so many players needed during this transfer window, it makes sense to consider those who have already been profiled and considered capable of improving the squad.
