AliousRangers Must Draw a Line After Hagi’s Exit as £17m Vanishes in Free Transfer Failures
Rangers have officially parted ways with Ianis Hagi, and while his departure marks the end of a memorable chapter, it also symbolizes a troubling pattern the club must urgently break.
The 26-year-old Romanian playmaker, once a fan favorite, is one of six players leaving Ibrox this summer, including Tom Lawrence and Leon Balogun, who are also departing at the end of their contracts.
Loan signings Vaclav Cerny, Neraysho Kasanwirjo, and Rafael Fernandes have all returned to their parent clubs.
While Hagi’s exit is particularly emotional due to his early promise and Europa League heroics in 2020, it’s the financial side of his departure that has raised alarms. Signed permanently from Genk for a reported £3m after a successful loan, Hagi’s time in Glasgow was derailed by a serious knee injury, and he never truly regained his form.
Hagi’s exit without a transfer fee continues a costly trend. Rangers have now seen approximately £17m worth of talent walk out for free in recent years. Notable examples include Ryan Kent (£7m), Alfredo Morelos (£1m), Filip Helander (£3m), and more recently Borna Barisic, Kemar Roofe, and John Lundstram—all of whom were signed for significant sums and left without generating revenue.
This ongoing mismanagement has seen the club lose out on recouping funds that could have been reinvested. Even recent sales have barely moved the financial needle, with five players sold this summer bringing in a combined total of just £800k.
As Rangers prepare to rebuild under a new manager, Hagi’s farewell must serve as the final warning. The club can no longer afford to let valuable players leave for nothing, especially as they look to re-establish themselves as both domestic and European contenders.
In his parting message, Hagi paid tribute to the fans, calling their passion “unmatched” and thanking everyone who made his journey at Rangers unforgettable. But for the club itself, this must mark the end of an era of poor asset management and the beginning of a more sustainable, strategic approach to transfers.
Alious
