French club Lille OSC has reportedly secured an initial agreement with Scottish side Rangers for 22-year-old forward Hamza Igamane. This development, first brought to light by RMC Sport journalist Fabrice Hawkins and subsequently corroborated by Foot Mercato, signals a significant step towards the Moroccan international joining the Ligue 1 outfit.
Should the deal proceed as anticipated, Igamane is scheduled to travel to northern France on Thursday to complete his medical examination. Following a successful medical, he is expected to sign a three-year contract, which also includes an option for an additional year.
Negotiations between the two clubs were reportedly protracted, as Lille, often referred to as “Les Dogues,” was initially reluctant to meet Rangers` €15 million asking price for their primary transfer target. However, it appears Rangers have now agreed to a reduced fee, with Hawkins indicating the transfer is expected to be closer to €12 million.
Igamane`s potential acquisition is anticipated to ease the significant burden on 38-year-old Olivier Giroud, who has played every minute of Lille`s first two matches this season. While the 2018 World Cup winner has enjoyed a strong start since returning to his home country, his heavy workload was deemed unsustainable for the entire campaign, making Igamane`s arrival a timely reinforcement for the squad.
