“GOOD NEWS From Ibrox” – Gers Want Player to Stay and His Move Out of Ibrox Hit Roadblock – He’s Staying Despite Links from Top Clubs?

Lille Back Off in Igamane Chase as Rangers Dig in Over Valuation

Rangers have stood firm over their valuation of Hamza Igamane, with sources indicating that Ligue 1 side Lille are now considering alternative transfer targets after balking at the asking price.

The French club had made the 22-year-old Moroccan forward a priority target this summer, holding talks with the player’s representatives and agreeing personal terms on a lucrative three-year deal. However, despite 48 hours of intense speculation surrounding the move, Ibrox chiefs are still awaiting a formal bid.

It’s understood that Lille’s hierarchy were taken aback by Rangers’ £15million valuation — a figure nearly nine times the £1.7m the Scottish giants paid to land Igamane just a year ago. The price tag has reportedly led to hesitation at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, with club officials now poised to walk away from the deal unless Rangers soften their stance.

That appears highly unlikely.

Rangers’ new vice-chairman Paraag Marathe recently made it abundantly clear that the Ibrox club will no longer be a selling ground for cut-price talent following the £95million takeover led by Marathe and boardroom chief Andrew Cavenagh.

“The resources are in place to allow us to make the best decisions for the club without being forced to make a decision because of club economics or finances,” said Marathe, an executive with the San Francisco 49ers. “We don’t want to speak about any specific players but we have the ability to do what we need to do to be successful this season.”

Lille appear to be the first club to test that resolve, and unless a revised offer closer to Rangers’ valuation materialises, the French outfit are expected to withdraw from negotiations.

Igamane’s form over the past season has only strengthened Rangers’ position. After a relatively slow start to life in Glasgow, the Moroccan international enjoyed a breakthrough campaign, finishing with 16 goals in all competitions. Highlights included a spectacular brace against Ligue 1 side Nice, a strike against Celtic in the Old Firm derby, and a clinical finish versus Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.

His exploits earned him a debut call-up for the Moroccan national team and drew the attention of several European scouts, not least Lille manager Bruno Génésio. The French coach was reportedly keen to pair Igamane with veteran striker Olivier Giroud, who is close to finalising a move to Lille after a stint in MLS with LAFC.

However, with Rangers unwilling to drop their valuation, and Lille unwilling to meet it, a deal looks to have hit a significant stumbling block.

Igamane was brought to Ibrox as part of the club’s revamped scouting and recruitment drive led by Nils Koppen. His rapid rise and sharp market value reflect the early success of that strategy — and Rangers’ new leadership are clearly determined not to let that progress be undermined by accepting low-ball offers.

For now, the message from Ibrox is clear: Hamza Igamane will only leave on Rangers’ terms.