Glasgow Rangers’ hectic summer transfer activity continues to build momentum at Ibrox.
With the start of European qualifiers less than four weeks away, new Rangers boss Russell Martin is actively reshaping his squad.
Several new faces have already joined the ranks at Ibrox, with more expected, but the Light Blues could be facing the loss of a key player—or possibly even two.
Rangers striker set to depart?
On Wednesday, Rangers officially introduced Max Aarons, who arrives on a season-long loan from Bournemouth.
Lyall Cameron had also been unveiled recently after agreeing to a pre-contract back in January, while Rangers are also targeting the likes of Conor Coady and Owen Beck.
On a less positive note, French media report that Ligue 1 outfit Lille are in discussions with Rangers over a potential transfer for Hamza Igamane, and it’s claimed that the Moroccan forward has already reached an agreement on personal terms.
Having lost Jonathan David on a free, Lille are currently restructuring their forward line. Elsewhere, it’s been reported that they’ve also made a move to sign LAFC striker Olivier Giroud.
As for Igamane, Rangers are said to have placed a £20 million valuation on him, which would represent one of the club’s biggest sales in recent history.
From a footballing perspective, this would be a significant setback, especially given that a major shake-up in Rangers’ striker department is already underway.
Why losing Hamza Igamane could be more costly than Cyriel Dessers
Igamane isn’t the only forward seemingly on the way out, as Cyriel Dessers is also believed to be nearing a move to AEK Athens.
Reports indicate the Greek club has tabled a £4 million offer, with Rangers holding out for £5 million, though a deal appears close. Martin is reportedly already searching for alternatives.
Together, Igamane and Dessers netted 45 goals last season. The only other player to score more than six was Václav Černý, who has now returned to VfL Wolfsburg after his loan.
So, with the Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos looming on 22 July, there are genuine concerns over who will lead the line.
Igamane vs Dessers 2024/25 Comparison
| Statistic | Igamane | Dessers |
|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 46 | 55 |
| Minutes | 2,651 | 3,423 |
| Goals | 16 | 29 |
| Assists | 3 | 7 |
| Goals – xG | +2.7 | -2.5 |
| Shots per 90 | 3.88 | 3.22 |
| Big chances missed | 7 | 31 |
| Touches per 90 | 51 | 29 |
| Touches in the area/90 | 5.2 | 6.7 |
| Average SofaScore rating | 7.08 | 6.81 |
Although Dessers scored more goals overall, he played around 800 more minutes, and Igamane outperformed him in almost every underlying metric.
One standout stat is the goals-to-xG (expected goals) ratio—where Igamane ranked second in last season’s Europa League with +2.7, while Dessers ranked fourth from bottom at -2.5, out of over 700 players who attempted a shot in the tournament.
Dessers also missed 31 big chances in the Scottish Premiership and Europa League combined, which may explain why many supporters are not opposed to his departure.
In contrast, fans will be disappointed to see Igamane go, though a £20 million transfer fee would be hard to refuse
Rangers’ missed opportunity lessons
Back when Rangers won the league under Steven Gerrard and reached the Europa League final with Giovanni van Bronckhorst, they held on to stars like Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent, and Borna Barišić as a sign of intent—but they eventually left for nothing.
Now, just a year after joining from AS Far for a reported £2.5 million, Igamane’s market value has soared. Analysts describe him as “destined for big things” and praise his rapid rise and strong performances in what was otherwise a struggling Rangers team.
So, while Igamane could prove a steal for Lille at £20 million, this is likely the ideal time for Rangers to sell. However, the pressure is now on to wisely reinvest the funds, as finding a suitable replacement in such a short time frame will be a tough challenge.
