Rangers To Offload Hamza Igamane for Millions Despite Premier League Rejection | OneFootball

Every transfer window presents a series of outcomes some expected and some more surprising and Rangers fans are well used to the mixed bag that comes with each passing summer. Player departures are part of the cycle and as clubs across Europe assess their needs Rangers have found themselves in a familiar position of negotiation and profit.

In the latest development Rangers are set to bring in a figure in the region of £17M for striker Hamza Igamane as Ligue 1 side Lille close in on finalising a deal. The Moroccan forward who joined Rangers not long ago has clearly caught the eye of the French side and they appear ready to spend close to the same amount they once offered for Alfredo Morelos. That move never materialised but this time the French giants look to be getting their man.

Of course the sale comes with one significant caveat. Rangers will lose 30 percent of the fee to former club FAR Rabat owing to a sell-on clause. While this will frustrate some supporters it still means a net gain of over £11M for a player who made a limited impact at Ibrox. Considering how brief his time in Scotland has been this is a solid piece of business by Rangers and vindicates the model Clement was building before his departure.

It is also worth noting that other clubs including West Ham and Everton had scouted the player but both decided against making an offer. The belief from England is that Igamane is not yet ready for the Premier League’s demands and they were not willing to gamble on potential. Lille by contrast have taken the plunge and clearly believe that with the right development the Rangers striker can evolve into a key player for their ambitions. It marks another case of a player moving to France after showing glimpses of promise in Scotland.

The story also raises questions around Rangers’ recent recruitment and scouting. While Hamza Igamane arrived as part of a wave of younger talent brought in under the old regime the speed at which the club have now sold him on suggests either a misjudgement of his long-term role or a purely financial move. Either way the result is clear. Rangers make a tidy profit and move one step closer to balancing their books and reinvesting in the squad.

Fans may debate whether Igamane was given a fair chance to prove himself but the market has spoken. Lille have seen enough to make a significant investment and Rangers will take the money while they can. With Champions League qualifiers looming and a demanding domestic season ahead Russell Martin and his staff will be keen to use these funds wisely and bring in players who can deliver immediately.

Read more on this move and what it means for Rangers’ summer rebuild.