When Rangers plucked Hamza Igamane out of relative obscurity last summer, the Premiership giants had planned to introduce him slowly to the rigours of Scottish football before reaping the benefits over the next few seasons.
Such has been the sheer pace of Igamane’s ascent, however, Rangers may already be facing a battle hanging onto the Moroccan sensation beyond the summer.
A run of 12 goals in 16 games will have that sort of effect on your reputation, of course. Hamza Igamane has gone from little-known centre-forward to the talk of the Premiership in just a few months. It is not just those situated above Hadrian’s Wall nodding their heads in approval, meanwhile.
TBR Football understands that Tottenham Hotspur are scouting Igamane now.
Spurs have joined Everton in expressing an interest, with Rangers likely to be offered the chance to make a massive and pretty immediate profit on a player who joined from RAF Rabat to the tune of just £1.7 million less than a year ago.
And, while Nantes join the race to sign Rangers misfit Rabbi Matondo, it appears that Igamane’s suitors are not limited to this side of the Channel.
Rangers striker Hamza Igamane watched by Ligue 1 outfit Reims
According to L’Equipe, Stade Reims are watching him too alongside Felix Nmecha; The Germany international back in action at VFL Wolfsburg after struggling with injury.
Reims do not have the same sort of financial muscle as Tottenham or even Everton, of course. What they do have though is money in the bank following the £17 million sale of centre-back Emmanuel Agbadou to Wolverhampton Wanderers this month.
Reims held runaway Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain to a 1-1 draw over the weekend. Luka Elsner’s team remain only five points above the relegation zone though, with the coach admitting that he is desperate to bring in a new attacker before the window closes.
“We need a finisher to have more presence in the box,” Elsner admits.
Reims president Jean-Pierre Caillot was certainly realistic, however, when it was his turn to discuss the idea of additions late in the window.
“It’s complicated because we can’t buy expensive players,” Caillot admits. “[But] the market will offer us opportunities.”
Barry Ferguson thinks Rangers must already look for replacements
At this stage, it is not certain how much Rangers would demand for Igamane.
Legendary Ibrox skipper Barry Ferguson feels Rangers could expect £10 million minimum already. Though, in an era where centre-forwards have seldom been more expensive, or more coveted, would it really come as a shock if Igamane is already threatening to become the biggest export in the club’s entire history?
A record currently held by Calvin Bassey following his £20 million switch to Ajax back in 2022.
“In an ideal world, Igamane is the kind of player you build a team around for years and years to come,” Ferguson told the Daily Record earlier this month. “But there has to be a sense of realism where the club’s current position is concerned.
“Rangers are a selling club. And, like it or not, that means they may soon be made an offer which they can’t possibly turn down.
“Just to be clear, I don’t think that’ll happen during the January transfer window. That would be way too soon. But, again, it’s important to remain realistic. And the realist inside me expects some big bids to start arriving over the coming summer.
“Let’s not forget, this is a kid Rangers signed for £1.5m. If someone out there is prepared to pay around £10m – or maybe even more than that – for him within 12 months, then that’s exactly the model Rangers need.
“The challenge at that point is to have already identified the next Igamane and to have him lined up as the Moroccan’s replacement.”
