Napoli’s £7.5m transfer is a big boost for Rangers with ‘sensational’ star needed at Ibrox

And that is wonderful news for everyone on the blue side of the Glasgow divide, especially after the part he played in Rangers’ 3-0 thumping of Old Firm rivals Celtic at Ibrox. It’s hard to describe the extent of Ianis Hagi’s success since rejoining the Rangers XI. In the space of a few months, he went from being completely forgotten and out of sight to being one of the first names on Clement’s squad sheet. What may have happened if Hagi hadn’t missed time until October because of a contract dispute that at the time seemed certain to destroy his Scottish football career?.

At least it’s better late than never. Hagi is now second behind James Tavernier in Rangers’ assist charts, despite only starting six Premiership games this season. The Gers have also won five of those six games. On a beautiful Thursday afternoon at Ibrox, Hagi opened the score in the seventh minute, setting up Clement for his maiden Old Firm victory at the seventh try.

Ianis Hagi looks likely to stay at Rangers as Fiorentina rumours go quiet

Ilie Dumitrescu, a former Romanian international, described Ianis Hagi’s performance as “sensational.” Only a few months ago, Rangers were searching the market for a buyer for a £3 million player who had been demoted to the reserves and deprived of his shirt number. Among those connected at the time was Fiorentina. Furthermore, after spending two years in Florence from 2016 to 2018, Hagi would not rule out a return to the Serie A contenders as late as December.

Now, concerns over Hagi’s future will persist as long as his contract status is unchanged—it is scheduled to expire in the summer after next year. However, it seems less probable that the Stadio Artemio Franchi option will be available for a player who made only two Serie A appearances during his rather forgettable tenure with La Viola, especially as Fiorentina approaches the signing of Michael Folorunsho from Napoli.

Tuttomercatoweb reports that Fiorentina is acquiring Folorunsho on loan with a £7.5 million obligation-to-buy clause. Under Antonio Conte at Naples, the Italy international, who was born in Rome, has hardly played. However, Folorunsho could add new energy to a Fiorentina team that is vying for Champions League positions following an incredible loan stint at Hellas Verona, where he won his own Goal of the Season award.

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