Liverpool are understood to be the first club in line to sign Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic, if they can arrange a deal with the Scottish champions, BBC Sport reports. Gers boss Ally McCoist has revealed that nobody has yet matched the valuation the club holds for Jelavic.
The Reds face competition from Premier League rival Fulham and Championship side West Ham, who have contacted Rangers over the 26 year old. Rangers rejected a £6.5m bid from Leicester in the summer and are expected to be holding out for £10m for Jelavic. The Croatian joined the SPL side for £4m and has emerged as the best striker for Rangers, scoring 17 goals last season. Liverpool are looking for a striker who can score a good amount of goals for them after their goalshy season in front of goal. The Reds have only scored 22 in the league and Reds boss Kenny Dalglish has identified Jelavic as a good target.
McCoist said: ‘They’ve not made an official bid. The reported amount would not be enough to meet the demands of the owner – £6m is not nearly enough.’
Liverpool had also been interested in Aston Villa striker Darren Bent, but Villa shut the door in the face of any negotiations with the club. The Reds signed Andy Carroll from Newcastle for £35m last January, but he has failed to give the sort of goals the club had expected. Liverpool will be hoping someone can provide chances when they face Manchester City in the Carling Cup semi-final on Wednesday and then the FA Cup fourth round with Manchester United next weekend.
