Rangers target Ivorian forward Oumar Diakité as Hamza Igamane replacement

Glasgow Rangers are in advanced negotiations with Stade de Reims over the signing of Ivorian forward Oumar Diakité as they look to fill the gap left by Hamza Igamane’s departure to Lille.

Igamane, who recently joined Ligue 1 side LOSC and immediately impressed with a double against Lorient in a 7-1 victory, left Rangers short in attack.

With the transfer window closing, the Scottish club has turned to France in search of a replacement.

Talks with Reims for Diakité, 21, are understood to be progressing well.

The Ivorian international, capped 15 times and with two goals for his country, endured a difficult campaign last season, registering four goals and one assist across 26 Ligue 1 appearances as Reims were relegated.

Now playing in Ligue 2, Diakité has struggled for minutes, featuring only twice from the bench this season, totalling 21 minutes.

Despite being contracted until June 2028, he is valued at around €6 million according to specialist outlet Transfermarkt.

Rangers see the striker as a strong candidate to bolster their attack and provide a direct replacement for Igamane.

The timing is crucial, as Diakité’s international career has also stalled.

Once a central figure in Ivory Coast’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph and scorer of the decisive goal against Mali in the quarter-finals, he has been omitted from coach Emerse Faé’s last two squads due to form and limited playing time.

For Diakité, a move to Rangers could be decisive in reviving his career and maintaining his chances of featuring at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

For Rangers, his signing would inject pace, power and international experience into their forward line at a vital stage of the season.

With negotiations moving quickly and the transfer deadline approaching, both parties are expected to push for an agreement that could see Diakité swap Ligue 2 for Ibrox before the window closes.