Cagliari boss admits he wants to take Rangers loanee Ianis Hagi to Italy
Cagliari manager Walter Zenga has outlined his desire to take Rangers loanee Ianis Hagi to Italy.
The ex-goalkeeper, who took over at the Sardinian club in March, has made it very clear that he is a big fan of the 21-year-old, and revealed that he previously tried to sign him for Crotone three years ago.
The Romanian is currently on loan at Ibrox from Belgian outfit Genk, and the Gers have first refusal on making a permanent move for him in the coming weeks thanks to an option-to-buy clause written into his contract worth around £4 million.
But that hasn’t deterred Zenga, who has been quick to reiterate his admiration for the playmaker.
As quoted by the Daily Record, he said: “I’ve been following the progress of Ianis Hagi for three years, 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%.”
What does this mean for Rangers?
Hopefully, not too much.
The fact remains that the Gers still have first refusal on Hagi, and if Ibrox chiefs decide to sign off on a permanent deal for the Romanian, then he should be lining up in Glasgow again next season.
The only real concern at the moment is Ross Wilson‘s admission that the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic could throw a spanner in the works for the club on a financial front.
Still, however, there is considerable rhetoric, especially from back in Romania, that a deal is likely, with the chairman of Hagi’s first senior club even going as far as to suggest that he is “convinced” it will be wrapped up.
Only time will tell, but Zenga’s comments should have little bearing on whether the transfer happens or not.
In other Rangers news, Ibrox View: Gers must fend off Brentford to land Lewis Ferguson this summer.