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All Tottenham eyes on 21-year-old prodigy Ianis Hagi

By Gary Pearson

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MARCH 04: Ianis Hagi of Rangers is seen in action during the Ladbrokes Premiership match between Rangers and Hamilton Academical at Ibrox Stadium on March 04, 2020 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MARCH 04: Ianis Hagi of Rangers is seen in action during the Ladbrokes Premiership match between Rangers and Hamilton Academical at Ibrox Stadium on March 04, 2020 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) /
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Ianis Hagi, the son of former Real Madrid and Barcelona star Gheorghe Hagi, is making waves for the way he’s impressed during his loan stint at Rangers. 

And his efforts have not gone unnoticed at Hotspur Way, with Jose Mourinho reportedly taking a keen interest in the developing prodigy. On loan from Belgium’s Genk, Hagi scored twice and supplied an assist in three Europa League games.

While the sample size at Rangers is nominal, only seven matches, he has shown the characteristics and acuity that Mourinho desperately needs at Tottenham. His spatial awareness is second to none for a player of his tender age. Knowing at all times exactly what is around him, Hagi has the maturity and football intelligence of someone vastly more experienced.

And his control in tight quarters is something to marvel. He isn’t afraid to take on defenders, but prefers to circumvent defenders by playing crisp, quick one-twos.

"‘I have been asked personally by Jose Mourinho and Txiki Begiristain about Ianis Hagi’, the 21-year-old’s agent, Giovani Becali, said in a Toby Miles Mail Online piece. ‘They wanted to know about him and how he was getting on. There’s a lot of top people in European football who know all about Ianis and what he can do."

The amount of eyes on the youngster renders it nearly impossible for Genk to hold on to him past the summer. Such is the high demand for the multifaceted central midfielder. Steven Gerrard will do his utmost to convince Hagi to sign permanently for Rangers, where he would be able to excel, thrive and dominate in an inferior top flight.

But teams like Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham have other ideas, all of which will be attempting to cajole him to their respective sides. At this comparatively embryonic stage of his development, it should only cost about £4.5 million to sign him permanently.

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There are many unknowns when trying to sign a promising young talent like Hagi. But £4.5 million is a low risk investment top teams will be clamouring to make. A lot depends on which team Hagi prefers to devote the most crucial years of his career to.