£4m star told he 'deserves' Rangers transfer, Ibrox-linked ace now 'the best footballer' in his league
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Could Philippe Clement’s Rangers be about to welcome to the Scottish Premiership a footballer many view as ‘the best’ in his home country?
Well, right now, who knows, really?
Yes, the Glasgow giants do appear to be in the market for another attacking midfielder following Tom Lawrence’s latest injury. Rangers are interested in NK Osijek starlet Marko Soldo, Rangers News can exclusively reveal, with £2.5 million potentially enough to lure the Croatia Under 21 international to the United Kingdon.
But when it comes to Darius Olaru, the truth of Rangers‘ interest is not quite so certain.
Rangers News were told back in November that there had not been any significant developments until that point for the stylish Romanian playmaker.
Yet, with a £4 million release clause in his contract, and as Darius Olaru confirms he plans to leave FCSB in the New Year, Rangers have never had a better chance to gets their mitts on a player who has been linked with a move to Ibrox across multiple windows now.
- READ MORE:Rangers Transfer History 2016-Present
Romania star Darius Olaru backed for £4m Rangers move
Olaru was named Romania’s Midfielder of the Year at an awards ceremony this weekend. And, after captaining the club formerly known as Steaua Bucharest to their first league title in nearly a decade, he was also included in the division’s Team of the Season.
With his 27th birthday approaching, meanwhile, Olaru appears to believe the time is right for a new challenge.
A point Banel Nicolita, a former Romania international himself, cannot help agree with. The one-time Nantes, St Etienne and FCSB forward would relish the chance to see if Olaru can replicate his dazzling domestic displays on Scottish soil.
Rangers might not possess the star power or the glamour of those giants from down south. But what they can offer Olaru is a shot at European football and the chance to play in front of one of Europe’s most feverish fanbases.
“You know there’s a 5 million euro clause. He can leave if there’s a team that pays 5 million euros,” Nicolita tells AS.
“I would like to [say he deserves a move to Rangers] with all my heart, because he is a hardworking player. A good player. From my point of view, he is the best footballer in Romania.
“He has proven it. His numbers speak for themselves, [so] he deserves to join a top team.”
Neil Lennon says Romania and FCSB star would improve Rangers
Olaru has been likened to Manchester City superstar Kevin de Bruyne in the past due to his superb ball-striking talents, his penchant for a defence splitting pass, and his dainty footwork in tight spaces.
He has already scored 13 goals from midfield this season, in addition to his seven assists.
Ilie Dumitrescu, the former Tottenham and West Ham defender, sees shades of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, meanwhile, in the way Olaru arrives late in the penalty area to finish off chances.
Neil Lennon only spent a few weeks in charge of Rapid Bucharest, meanwhile. But that was still enough for the Celtic legend to get a good idea as to why nearly everyone in Romania rates Olaru head and shoulders above the rest domestically.
Lennon is confident that, if he does end up at Celtic’s Old Firm rivals, Rangers will be all the better for Darois Olaru’s presence.
"He is a very good player," Lennon tells Sport pe Surse.. "He would certainly make Rangers better, but Celtic are very strong and playing great at the moment."
