Hamza Igamane’s stunning rise at Rangers has caught many by surprise, especially given how quickly he has become a key player for the club. When Philippe Clement brought him in during the summer for a relatively modest fee of £1.7 million, the expectation was that the 22-year-old Moroccan would need some time to adjust to Scottish football. In fact, early on, fans only saw glimpses of Igamane’s potential through brief cameos off the bench. But since being handed a starting role in the Europa League match against Nice, Igamane has quickly become one of the most talked-about players in the team.
In that game against Nice, Igamane was thrust into the limelight, and he didn’t disappoint, scoring a brace and showing glimpses of the raw talent that would soon make him an indispensable part of Clement’s setup. Fast forward to today, and he has already accumulated 12 goals in just 14 appearances, making a substantial impact in a variety of competitions. His rapid success is not merely down to his ability to find the back of the net; his all-around play has also impressed. Igamane’s blend of pace, power, strength, and technical ability has left fans and analysts alike marveling at the development of this relatively unknown player, and it’s no surprise that his performances have begun to attract attention from a number of top clubs.
Several Premier League teams have already expressed interest in Igamane. Last month, West Ham United, Bournemouth, Brentford, and Fulham were reported to be keeping an eye on the young striker. The list of suitors grew even longer when Everton scouts attended Rangers’ match against Spurs, where Igamane scored a crucial goal. This performance, in particular, seemed to elevate his status among English clubs, and reports now suggest that Tottenham Hotspur are seriously considering him as a potential addition to their squad. Spurs had scouts present not just for the match against Spurs but also for his hat-trick against Hibernian and his goal against Aberdeen, further underlining his growing appeal in the Premier League.
This burgeoning interest represents a potential windfall for Rangers, who could soon make a significant profit on a player they only brought in for £1.7 million a few months ago. While it’s still unclear whether bids will come in during the upcoming January transfer window or whether interest will be postponed to the summer, Barry Ferguson, a former Rangers legend, has already predicted that “big bids” will soon follow. Ferguson, who has been impressed by Igamane’s performances, estimates the striker’s value to be around £10 million, a price that would represent a remarkable return on Rangers’ initial investment.
The latest club to reportedly show interest in Igamane is Olympique de Marseille. The French side are said to be exploring options to replace their outgoing striker, Elye Wahi, who looks set to join Eintracht Frankfurt for £21 million. Marseille’s interest further cements Igamane’s growing status as one of Europe’s most exciting young strikers. However, it’s not just French clubs that are taking notice. A new Premier League side, whose identity remains unconfirmed, is also believed to be doing “work” on Igamane, which could set the stage for a transfer battle between multiple clubs for the talented forward.
For Rangers, any potential sale of Igamane would be a significant step toward their broader financial strategy. Philippe Clement, who has made it clear that the club needs to be smart about its player trading to generate the funds necessary for future investments, sees Igamane’s potential sale as a way to reinvest into the squad. The club is well aware that football’s modern landscape often requires clubs to develop and sell players to maintain financial viability, and Igamane, with his rapid development and rising value, could be one of the key players to help generate revenue for future recruitment.
That said, Clement is also keen to stress that it’s not in the club’s immediate interest to sell. Speaking on the matter, he explained that while it is natural for top-performing players to attract attention from bigger clubs, Rangers must balance the short-term needs of the squad with long-term strategy. “We’re not the only club in the world that works like that or has to work like that, it’s the world of football now,” Clement said. He went on to add that there’s a “right moment” for both the club and the player to take the next step, but he emphasized that “now is not the right time” for Rangers to part ways with Igamane, given his importance to the team’s current success. Clement made it clear that selling key players, especially those who are performing well and contributing to the team’s objectives, would only complicate Rangers’ pursuit of consistency and success.
This sentiment aligns with the club’s goal of building a more sustainable, competitive squad in the future. Clement understands that player trading is part of the footballing ecosystem, but he is also aware that maintaining a solid core of top performers is vital for the club’s immediate and long-term aspirations. Igamane, with his impressive performances and potential for further growth, is central to those ambitions. Rangers will likely aim to keep hold of him for the rest of the season, at least, before making any decision regarding a potential transfer.
Ultimately, whether or not Igamane leaves Rangers in the near future will depend on several factors, including the offers that come in for him, his own development, and Rangers’ goals for the season. If the interest from top clubs continues to grow, Rangers could be faced with the dilemma of whether to cash in on a player who could bring in a hefty profit or to hold on to him and potentially increase his value even further. With each goal and assist, Igamane is proving that he has the potential to become one of the best young talents in European football, and his future, whether at Rangers or elsewhere, promises to be a thrilling one.