Rangers are “hell-bent” on keeping Hamza Igamane at the club beyond the summer transfer window despite interest from West Ham and Everton.
That is according to former Man United chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Russell Martin is determined not to lose key players shortly after his arrival.
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Instead, he is aiming to add further quality to his squad around the likes of Igamane, with a number of names already being considered at Ibrox.
This comes after Football Insider exclusively revealed on 16 June that Everton and West Ham want to sign Igamane and have been keeping a close eye on his situation.
A potential move to the Premier League is seen as a gamble for both clubs, but would represent a major profit for Rangers after he signed for just £1.7million last summer.
However, Brown told Football Insider on 10 June that Martin wants to keep his best players amid interest from the likes of Everton in Mohamed Diomande.
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Football Insider revealed on 17 June that Rangers boss Martin plans to keep Igamane and wants to build his squad around him and Nicolas Raskin.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that Martin has to be careful about the players he lets go during the summer window.
“Rangers have got to be careful in the transfer market,” he told Football Insider.
“They don’t want to lose too many key players, because they’re already some way behind Celtic.
“The new manager has to be very careful, and from what I hear, Rangers are hell-bent on trying to keep Igamane at the club into next season.
“They’re planning to add more players like him to that squad.
“If he’s considered good enough to make this move to West Ham or Everton in the Premier League, then he’s exactly the type of players Rangers need to keep.
“Then if they can bring in players around him it will help them close the gap.”
Russell Martin makes Jack Butland transfer decision
Another player who has been linked with a move away from Ibrox this summer is Jack Butland, who endured a difficult season last time out.
Football Insider revealed on 16 June that Martin is keen to keep Butland and will allow him to prove his worth during the club’s pre-season preparations.
O’Rourke has explained that this will be a big summer for the former England goalkeeper, but there is no immediate pressure to sell and Martin plans to keep him.
Last summer, Football Insider revealed Rangers had set a huge valuation for Butland, around £30million, in an attempt to ward off suitors.
