PHILIPPE CLEMENT says Rangers WON’T sell in-form striker Hamza Igamane this month.
The Moroccan, who will lead the line at Dundee after last Sunday’s hat-trick against Hibs, has already been linked with Everton and is poised for a first call-up to his national side.
Philippe Clement wants to hold onto Hamza Igamane for the foreseeable future[/caption]
Igamane has been in fine form of late[/caption]
But boss Clement, who could lose Cyriel Dessers to Cagliari, insists the time is not right to let Igamane leave Ibrox.
The Belgian said: “It is important to know when is the right moment for the club and the player.
“That’s going to be something for the future for Hamza — I’m confident about that. But NOT in the near future.
“It is important now if we want consistency that we’re not going to sell players who are performing well, otherwise it becomes even more difficult.”
Asked if fans have to avoid getting attached to Igamane, 22, due to a future sale, Clement added: “No, they need to be attached because that helps the player.
“It gives him a lot of energy and confidence.
“We’re not the only club in the world who acts like, or has to act like, that.
“It’s the football world now and I had it at a lot in my old clubs.
“When somebody can make the next step, a higher step, and it benefits the club and the player, there’s no possibility to stop them.
“I saw Aurelien Tchouameni go to Real Madrid from Monaco, Benoit Badiashile from Monaco to Chelsea, and Charles De Ketelaere from Brugge to AC Milan.
“It is part of the story for a player. I have done it also as a player. It is normal in football.”
Igamane penned a deal until 2029 when he signed last summer, with Clement yesterday asked about the possibility of a pay rise for the in-form star.
He said: “Those are things to discuss inside the club.
“That’s the good thing now — there’s a lot of clarity after this period of six months where there was a big vacuum and I was the only spokesman in the club.
“There’s clarity that this is something for Patrick Stewart and Nils Koppen to talk about.
“Of course, I am involved in those things and we discuss everything. But it will be on their plate to discuss with you guys.”
Meanwhile, Italian side Cagliari are weighing up a fresh move for Dessers.
The Serie A strugglers are long-term admirers of the striker, who despite 12 goals this term is out of favour at Ibrox.
They have made three previous attempts to sign the Nigerian cap, who had a year-long spell in Italy with Cremonese, and Gers won’t stand in his way if the right bid comes.
He joined Rangers for £4.5million in the summer of 2023 and is under contract until 2027.
Gers’ fringe midfielder Cole McKinnon, 21, has signed for Ayr on loan and will be joined by Celtic youngster Lenny Agbaire.
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