Rangers Face Losing £17M After Lille ‘Pull Out’ Of Hamza Transfer | OneFootball

Rangers may be walking a dangerous path once again as Hamza Igamane transfer impasse dominates headlines, with French giants Lille refusing to raise their offer beyond £17 million. The Moroccan forward has caught the eye after an impressive first season at Ibrox, but the Ligue 1 side have drawn a firm line in the sand over what they are willing to pay. It leaves Rangers in a familiar and uncomfortable place — holding out for more while risking the potential of losing a valuable asset for nothing. The offer on the table is significant, and in this transfer climate it may be as good as Rangers can realistically expect.

This scenario bears a striking resemblance to the Alfredo Morelos saga, where Rangers were similarly approached by Lille with a substantial offer. At that time, the Ibrox board dug in their heels, demanding a higher fee, only for the Colombian to remain at the club without renewing his contract and eventually leaving on a free. The parallels with the current Hamza Igamane situation are impossible to ignore and fans are rightly worried history could repeat itself. Failing to strike a deal while there is money on the table carries risks far beyond just missing out on the current window.

Despite the stand-off, the player’s value has arguably never been higher, and it is understandable why Rangers would be reluctant to sell him for less than what they believe he is worth. However, the deal is not under threat entirely and still depends on whether either party blinks first in what is becoming a game of brinkmanship.

This stand-off exposes the tightrope Rangers are walking in the transfer market. Clubs across Europe know Rangers need to sell, and as such they are rarely willing to go above their initial bid. Lille’s refusal to budge beyond £17 million is exactly what happened with Morelos, and that gamble ended in disaster. The club has already rejected interest from Premier League sides unwilling to match Lille’s terms, and now the French side remain the sole serious bidder. Igamane’s contract still has time on it, but that can evaporate quickly if talks drag on into next year.

The problem Rangers face now is balancing business sense with footballing ambition. Igamane is a key part of Russell Martin’s squad rebuild, and if he is sold too late in the window there may not be time to source a replacement. But hold on too long and the opportunity to bank a major fee could vanish entirely. That £17 million could fund multiple signings, reduce financial pressure, and allow Martin to shape a squad truly reflective of his vision. Yet the fear of another Morelos ending looms large.

The Hamza Igamane transfer impasse is emblematic of Rangers’ wider strategy — or lack thereof — when it comes to outbound transfers. Refusing to budge for less than a perceived value has its place, but it must be weighed against the potential loss. Losing such a prized striker for free again would be catastrophic not just financially but in the message it sends to future suitors and players alike.

There is still time for movement, but at present, Rangers stand firm and Lille have turned off the taps. If neither side gives ground, the Hamza Igamane transfer impasse could become yet another cautionary tale in Rangers’ modern transfer history. The next few weeks will tell us whether the club has learned from its past or is doomed to repeat it.