Former Romanian head coach Victor Piturca says it would be a massive setback for Ianis Hagi if he returned to Genk following his loan spell at Rangers.

The Light Blues have the option of signing the 21-year-old for £4.5m at the end of the season, and Piturca is hoping the Scottish club take up the opportunity:

“Let’s hope the people in Glasgow will be satisfied with him and buy him permanently because it would be a disaster for him if he had to return to Genk. I believe he is happy at Rangers because he has a manager who trusts him and believes in him. He is absolutely full of quality.”

“The only thing he lacks is physical strength, but playing for a club like Rangers in the Scottish league will help him. I am sure he will stay at Rangers. I hope he does and I also hope they know what they have got with him.”

“The important thing is that he is being talked about across Europe and there is a great deal of interest in him. His development at Rangers have been watched by a lot of clubs.”

Reports in the Scottish media are now suggesting that Lazio are indeed interested in Hagi. There had been a number of claims from Italy that the Serie A side were tracking the Romanian, and it appears that their sporting director Igli Tare is targeting the playmaker.

Rangers are in a tricky position. Hagi has only played 12 games for the club and with the current financial situation, it would be a gamble to pay £4.5m.

However, the player’s potential could mean he is worth far more than that in the future. Whether the Gers take the risk, it remains to be seen.