Romania U21 international Alexi Pitu has completed a £1.7 million move to Bordeaux days after admitting that he would have been tempted by the opportunity to join Ianis Hagi at Rangers, via the Girondins website.
Exactly how serious Rangers’ interest were about the 20-year-old forward is not quite certain.
Football Transfers reported earlier in January that Mick Beale’s Glasgow giants were ‘aware’ of the former Farul Constanta forward, as were a number of Premier League clubs. Pitu also admitted that he would ‘love’ to reunite with fellow Romanian Hagi but, with Rangers focusing on midfielders rathe than forwards this month, it never felt particularly likely that the Glasgow giants were going to hi-jack Bordeaux’s pursuit.
Pitu completed a £1.7 million move to France on Thursday morning. (L’Equipe).
Alexi Pitu heading to France after Rangers links
“He’s a young player with a lot of room for improvement. He’s a slightly different player from those we have,” says Bordeaux coach David Guion.
“He also has the ability to find space amongst well-organised defences. That’s interesting. He is a young player to develop. I am really very satisfied that he joins us.”
Pitu signs a four-and-a-half year deal at the Matmut Atlantique. Bordeaux were relegated amid serious financial concerns last season but could be on their way back to France’s top-tier at the first time of asking. The 2009 Ligue 1 champions are currently second in the second-tier.
“The two positions he mainly occupies are on the left and at ‘number 10’,” Guion adds.
German-born Pitu scored five goals and set up five more during an impressive first half of the campaign at Farul Constanta. He came through the Gheorghe Hagi academy back home in Romania, following in the footsteps of Rangers’ number seven.
Rangers sign Todd Cantwell from Norwich City
Ianis Hagi has not made a single appearance this season after knee surgery. Gers boss Mick Beale hopes to see the 24-year-old return sooner rather than later, however; Hagi a natural fit for the attacking midfield role in the former QPR boss’ starting XI. Then again, Hagi will face renewed competition from Bayern Munich loanee Malik Tillman and January signing Todd Cantwell.
“(Beale) was the biggest factor in me coming here,” former Norwich playmaker Cantwell explains. “The manager has known me for a long time, which is important. He knows the type of person but also type of player (I am).
“He knows exactly what he was getting when he signed me. I think he can get the best out of not only me but the team as well.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
