Rangers ready to sell Ianis Hagi despite new contract as replacement lined up for Michael Beale
Rangers are ready to sell Ianis Hagi this summer despite only awarding him a new contract at Ibrox last December, according to the Scottish Mail on Sunday.
The 24-year-old, who was previously sidelined for a year with a serious knee injury but still offered a new contract until 2026, could be on his way out of Ibrox with the club willing to consider any offers.
The potential arrival of Atalanta forward Sam Lammers is set to pose another obstacle for the Romanian to overcome in his quest for regular first-team football, with the 26-year-old expected to undergo a medical at Rangers in the next 48 hours.
“Hagi only signed a new contract in December but has struggled for game time since recuperating from a knee injury,” the Scottish Mail on Sunday wrote. [11 June, pages 100 and 101]
“Currently on international duty with Romania, he will be given a chance to impress in pre-season but is in need of game time that the arrival of Lammers may restrict.”
Overhaul
Michael Beale doesn’t look like he is afraid to wield the axe on this Rangers squad, with Hagi yet another name who could be leaving this summer.
The arrivals of Kieran Dowell, Dujon Sterling and Jack Butland have marked a highly successful start to the summer, while a quintet of first-team players have all been released after the expiration of their contracts at Ibrox.
Although some players, including Hagi, might feel hard done by at the decisions being made by the English manager, this cut-throat approach is needed if the Gers are going to challenge for the Scottish Premiership title once again.
After the departures of Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent in attack, the imminent-looking arrival of Lammers looks like yet another piece of smart business.
Hagi faces an uphill battle to get himself back into the manager’s plans but should still be awarded the opportunity after such a serious knee injury.
There is a talented player behind all of the injury talk, but it is now time for Hagi to prove it to both Rangers fans and Beale.
In other Rangers news, there is confidence that another incoming Ibrox deal is completed “very soon” after personal terms were agreed.