RANGERS will have to find more cash to land Brighton centre-back Connor Goldson.
New boss Steven Gerrard has identified the 25-year-old as one of the players he wants to bolster the Ibrox defence.
Although Goldson started only eight matches in all competitions last season, Brighton manager Chris Hughton is in no hurry to offload the player.
The Premier League side turned down a second offer from Rangers at the end of last week.
An initial bid of £1.5 million was rebuffed and the increased amount was still well short of the fee wanted by the south coast club.
A glimmer of hope for Rangers comes in the form of Nigeria international defender Leon Balogun.
The 29-year-old signed for Brighton last week on a free transfer from Bundesliga side Mainz and he, like Goldson, is a right-footed central defender.
His arrival is likely to add to Goldson’s frustration at a lack of first-team opportunities.
The Ibrox outfit have also been linked with a move for West Ham free James Collins.
He leaves the London club after 11 years and was said to be heartbroken at his departure.
Although a highly-rated Welsh international defender, Collins turns 35 in August and has struggled with injuries in recent seasons.
Bruno Alves, 36, is currently away preparing for the World Cup with Portugal and said he has no intention of retiring for club or country.
It’s doubtful that Gerrard would want to load his squad with men in their mid-thirties.
Jamie Murphy has already joined Rangers from the Seagulls on a permanent deal after spending the second half of last season on loan.
Goalkeeper Allan McGregor has also been signed by Rangers with the approval of Gerrard, who officially takes over as manager on Friday.
Meanwhile, Jason Cummings’ future at Nottingham Forest is looking increasingly under threat.
The Championship strugglers are holding transfer talks with Cardiff City over forward Lee Tomlin.
The 29-year-old joined Forest on loan in January, replacing Cummings as he moved to Rangers on a temporary deal.
Tomlin, who cost £2.9 million from Bristol City last summer, scored four times in 12 starts for Aitor Karanka’s side.
Cummings scored only four times in 17 appearances for Forest following his £1m move from Hibs last year.
The 22-year-old scored twice in 15 league games for Rangers and also notched four goals against Ayr United and Falkirk in the Scottish Cup.
Just one in five of Nottingham Forest fans who voted in a poll in their local newspaper this week want the Scotland striker to stay at the club.
It seems the way is clear for Rangers to sign the Scot on a permanent deal but Steven Gerrard may have other ideas.
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