Ibrox View: Hagi deal surely imminent for Rangers after Genk muddy the waters
Football fans know that transfers are never done until they’re done.
Transfers have fallen through after successful medicals have been completed and intro videos filmed.
However, we’ve yet to hear of one that falls through after it’s confirmed by one of the clubs.
If that maxim holds true than Ianis Hagi will be officially a Rangers player very shortly.
Genk have jumped the gun, though, after posting confirmation of his permanent move to Rangers on Tuesday night.
A statement on its official website read, “Ianis Hagi permanently switches to Glasgow Rangers. The Scottish club has taken up the purchase option for the attacking midfielder. KRC Genk bought Hagi from Romanian side Viitorul last summer, but sent him on loan to Rangers in January. We wish Ianis the best of luck in his further career.”
However, just 30 minutes later and the statement had been deleted.
We’re not unduly worried. We’ve seen football agents jump the gun before – most famously ‘announcing’ Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s move from Arsenal to Liverpool before the clubs were ready. His move went through shortly after.
Genk contacted BBC Scotland later to say that the deal was close but admitted they’d jumped the gun somewhat.
That’s frustrating but we can’t believe a club would jump the gun before they were 99.5% sure the deal was done.
BBC Scotland journalist Jane Lewis had said he could be announced as soon as Monday but it looks like something is causing the deal to be delayed.
Hopefully, it’s an administrative point rather than anything more serious – certainly, it doesn’t seem like anything on the Genk end and Rangers obviously want the player.
That remaining 0.5% is still a worry for Rangers fans but we’re sure that an official announcement from Rangers is not far off.
In other Rangers news, Ibrox Exclusive: Alex Bruce claims reported Gers target Dykes is a ‘real handful’.