Rangers could find Coutinho 2.0 in Alexi Pitu – FootballFanCast.com

Rangers are reportedly interested in signing Romanian starlet, Alexi Pitu, albeit with the Ibrox outfit set to face competition for the youngster’s signature.

What’s the word?

According to Football Transfers, the Light Blues are said to be one of the clubs who are ‘monitoring’ the 20-year-old at present, with the promising asset currently plying his trade in his homeland for Farul Constanta.

The report does suggest, however, that ‘multiple’ clubs in both the Premier League and across Europe have also been tracking the 5 foot 10 dynamo as a possible ‘future target’.

The piece also adds that despite rumours that the Gers have made an approach for the eye-catching winger, the Old Firm outfit have not yet gone as far as making a concrete move.

Coutinho 2.0

Although the Romanian U21 international may well be something of an unknown quantity to most, he has seemingly “exploded” in recent times – according to compatriot Gigi Becali – having been in stunning form so far this term.

The fleet-footed ace – who has been noted for his “pace” and “creativity” by talent scout Jacek Kulig in the past – has scored five goals and provided five assists in just 19 league games so far this term, proving himself a truly devastating presence of the flanks.

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While the emerging talent did lay on five assists in the league last term, the current campaign has clearly been something of a breakout season, with it unsurprising that he has caught the eye of such a vast array of clubs.

Pitu’s quality is also evidenced by the fact that he has been compared to Brazilian international, Phillipe Coutinho, with the pair notably alike in their ability to impact proceedings from an attacking midfield berth, but also from the flanks.

The Aston Villa man may be enduring a tough spell at present – having failed to provide a single goal contribution this season – although the 30-year-old is undoubtedly a highly regarded figure in the game, having only a few years ago warranted a £142m transfer fee after trading Liverpool for Barcelona.

The “creative genius” – as lauded by former Anfield icon Phil Thompson – was a truly influential presence during his stint on Merseyside, registering 54 goals and 45 assists in 201 games across all fronts.

Coutinho’s brilliance is, of course, well known to Rangers boss Michael Beale, with the Englishman having been part of Steven Gerrard’s coaching staff when the playmaker made the surprise move to Villa Park a year ago.

To be able to find their own version of the “world-class” talent, as described by Gerrard, in the form of Pitu could well prove to be something of a transfer masterstroke for the Glasgow giants.