HAMZA IGAMANE was fast-tracked to Rangers last summer because Gers feared they couldn’t wait any longer for the Moroccan frontman.
If they did they’d be out of their price-range.
Hamza Igamane (right) was a modest £1.7m signing from Morocco last summer[/caption]
The striker has hit 3 goals this season – including a hat-trick against Hibs[/caption]
He’s also registered Europa League goals – alerting transfer suitors and his national team boss[/caption]
Now suitors Sevilla face a repeat of the same scenario after lining up a huge bid – and fear it still won’t be enough.
Since his £1.7million move from AS FAR in his homeland he’s kicked on with nine league goals – another four in Europe – bringing him to the attention of the continent’s top clubs.
And his national team.
Igamane’s first call-up for the Moroccan senior squad is a personal highlight for the player, a feather in the cap of Rangers‘ recruitment policy – but BAD news for potential transfer suitors like the La Liga giants, it has been claimed.
The 22-year-old has been linked with a move away from Ibrox already with Everton and Sevilla mentioned.
Now it’s claimed the Spanish side fears the Moroccan’s rapid rise could leave them in a similar scenario to the Scottish side last summer.
The La Liga giants are eyeing a £10 million move for the striker according to reports in Spain – but there are fears that price-tag could rise rapidly – even THIS MONTH.
Vamos Sevilla say Igamane is on their wanted list but added: “We have already reported this week that Sevilla were preparing an initial offer of 10 million – which could fall short if the young striker continues to reach levels like those with his national team.”
It’s a familiar scenario.
Ex-boss Ibrox Philippe Clement admitted he swooped for the striker in a bargain £1.7m deal because if they waited for him to develop any further he’d be too expensive and snapped up elsewhere.
He said: “I understand people from outside saying, ‘why do they take a guy from Morocco who never played in Scotland or at the highest level?’
“We had to do it now because if it would have been a year later, we could never afford that kind of player.”
Igamane is in Walid Regragui’s 34-man pool for World Cup qualifiers against Niger and Tanzania this weekend.
He’s previously helped Morocco win the Under 23s Africa Cup of Nations in 2023 and will hook up with the senior squad after Thursday night’s Europa League last 16 clash with Fenerbahce.
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