Rangers transfers: Six Ianis Hagi replacement options for Giovanni van Bronckhorst

Ianis Hagi’s knee injury and subsequent surgery has ruled the Romanian midfielder out for the season – and left a glaring hole in Rangers’ first-team squad.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst rued the misfortune, suffered against Stirling Albion, but did admit Rangers would be delving back into the transfer market before the window closes at the end of this month.

One area for strengthening now, if not already, is in Hagi’s creative midfield role on the right side of Rangers’ attack.

Here are six options van Bronkhorst may look at...

The most obvious candidate. Rangers have been frequently linked with a move for the Danish winger who is still at Bologna, despite similar speculation with Club Brugge. The Belgians are said to have been close to landing the 22-year-old, however the SerieA club’s valuation has not yet been met, paving the way for Rangers to potentially steal a march on their rivals. It could be costly though – the Italians are willing to sell, but only at a price in excess of £7m.

A fellow Romanian, Morutan first emerged as a potential Rangers target around transfer talk of Hagi’s exit – with Galatasaray said to be keen. Morutan, currently at the Turkish club, can play the number 10 role or on the right – where Rangers’ need is greatest, especially in light of Hagi’s injury.

Galatasaray spent £4m just six months ago though so would be reticent to allow the midfielder to leave so soon – but a short-term loan could satisfy Rangers’ need for Hagi cover, and allow the fringe player game-time which hasn’t been forthcoming under Fatih Terim.

This could be a coup, if Rangers manage to lure the Paris Saint-Germain youngster to Ibrox, as has frequently been discussed over recent months.

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