Rangers are on the brink of completing a permanent deal for playmaker Ianis Hagi.
Reports in Romania claim the Ibrox club have agreed a fee of around £5 million with Genk for the services of last season’s loan star.
Rangers have beaten off competition from a clutch of suitors, including Lazio, after the 21-year-old declared his loyalty to the Light Blues and Steven Gerrard.
Hagi joined Rangers on a six-month loan with an option to buy on January 31 and made an immediate impact.
He almost single handedly brought Rangers back to life in their Europa League tie against Braga that set up a last 16 showdown with Bayer Leverkusen.
He also scored a winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Hibs at Ibrox in February before the wheels came off his side’s title charge.
Rangers have refused to be drawn on the reports, but sources confirm Gerrard is keen to keep him long term and is close to getting his man.
Director of football Ross Wilson admitted recently the impact of coronavirus could impact on a deal, but the club were desperate to get it done.
He said: “Ianis has undoubtedly made a really positive impression on us. We’re in regular contact with him.
“We were really happy with him and he’ll be on loan to the end of season 19/20, whenever that comes.
“Rangers have an exclusive option on him but we’ve got a little bit of time before we need to take that.
“We’ve got a great relationship with him, his agent and his dad.
“Ianis has found a place at Rangers where he feels loved. He can feel the size of the club and he loves the intensity and pressure of the crowd.”
