Everton told £8m enough to sign Hamza Igamane as Rangers hand forced – Exclusive
Everton were strongly linked with a move for Hamza Igamane in the closing stages of the winter transfer window, without a Rangers exit materialising.
To the joy of Rangers supporters, Igamane – who has admittedly gone off the boil of late – remains at Ibrox until at least the end of the campaign.
That has not stopped speculation swirling that Everton, or indeed fellow English Premier League club West Ham United, could make a fresh approach for Igamane in the summer.
If that is the case, Rangers’ hand may well be forced should a certain sum of money be placed on the table.
Hamza Igamane price tag at Rangers
Igamane cost Rangers around £2.5million to sign from AS Far Rabat last summer and the Morocco Under-23s striker is under contract until 2023.
The Light Blues will therefore not consider any bids that do not match their valuation for Igamane, who is clearly a man in demand, with Newcastle United and Tottenham also having been linked.
And in the view of pundit Derek Ferguson, a certain figure could well be enough for Everton – or any other interested parties – to strike a deal.
“Money talks,” Ferguson exclusively told Ibrox News. “Whether it’s Everton, West Ham or whoever else, you’d be looking at between £6-8m to prise him away.
“They brought in for around £2.5m and that’d be a nice profit. He’s lost his way over the past few games, but he’s already a fans favourite.
“He’s still young, he’s still progressing and improving, but he’s an entertainer. Fans certainly don’t want him to leave, but if something close to £8m is offered, it may sway Rangers’ mind.
“Then again, you have to see if the manager is still in place. If a new manager comes in, he might want to play a different brand of football.
“He’s a talented boy, Igamane, and you can see him playing down in England, but it’d take a good £8m to get him.”
Hamza Igamane record for Rangers
Igamane has played 30 times for Rangers – 20 of those starts after being eased into the side – and has a return of 13 goals and two assists.
| Games played | 30 |
| Games started | 20 |
| Goals scored | 13 |
| Goals assisted | 2 |
| Mins/goal | 132 |
Taking his Scottish Premiership and Europa League combined goals (12) and minutes (1,584) into account, Igamane averages a goal every 132 minutes.
That is hardly the most incredible of returns, not helped by his recent barren spell, but Igamane has scored twice against top-level opposition in Nice and Tottenham in that run and was recently hailed by Ally McCoist as “magic”.
Every Rangers fan will hope he stays at Ibrox for at least another campaign but, as Ferguson says, money very much speaks.