No sooner has Ianis Hagi returned to fitness than he is being linked with a move away from Rangers.
The Romanian playmaker might not be our most valuable asset but, he is certainly our most marketable and our most famous, he is, after all, the only player in the squad who has appeared in adverts for global brands such as Mastercard, Pepsi and Gillette – there is an argument for not promoting the 24-year old often enough in his time at the club.
Despite not playing for just over year and having just renewed his contract in December, 24yo AM/RW Ianis Hagi is wanted by #Galatasaray
According to the Turks from https://t.co/YV7Hf3NxT0, Galatasaray insists on Ianis, “willing to do anything” from a financial POV#RangersFC pic.twitter.com/miQnRjBzvT
— Romanian Football (@RoFtbl) January 25, 2023
He might not be his old man, however, he is still a talented player and one that will always command attention and, ever sicne arriving in Glasgow, it has seemed that Galatasaray are determined to return Hagi to the place of his birth – and where he counts as a domestic player – and to the club that Gheorghe was a hero at.
What doesn’t dampen the speculation is that Hagi has said of a return “home” in the past:
“One day, I’d like to play for Galatasaray. It’s a club I love, I grew up with that club in my heart. I was born there. I don’t know what future holds, but i have feelings for that club!”
This is where Ross Wilson has to earn his money.
For the right money, we have to consider the possibility of selling Hagi. I love him and his mentality and think that he will only develop further under Michael Beale but it is how a successful player trading model works.
A new contract signed just a few weeks ago gives us more protection and strength at the negotiating table, whether or not a previously reported £10million release clause remains to be seen but any bid in that region – or over – should be considired.
His ability and leadership would be a miss but when with Todd Cantwell signed up, Malik Tillman available for around £5m and Morgan Whittaker for £2m, he could be replaced and leave us with a profit.
Football isn’t always about cold hard numbers though and I’d love him to stay, I genuinely believe that he could be a future club captain and a real presence in a deeper midfield role – if he is around long enough that is.