Rangers in discussions over signing Dutch striker

RANGERS remain in discussions with PAOK over a deal for striker Antonio Colak as manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst attempts to bolster his Ibrox attack this summer.

The Dutchman saw his side return to pre-season training at Auchenhowie on Monday morning but former Hearts defender John Souttar is the only new face to have joined up with the Light Blues squad as work continues behind the scenes.

Striker Colak has emerged as a prime candidate in recent days and Rangers are keen to secure an agreement that will bring the 28-yearold to Glasgow ahead of the new campaign.

Greek outfit PAOK are standing firm on their valuation for Colak, though, as Ibrox chiefs seek to do a deal worth more than £2m for the striker who helped eliminate them from the Champions League last August with Malmo.

Van Bronckhorst has already offloaded Cedric Itten this summer after the Swiss returned to his homeland with Young Boys earlier this month and doubts remain over the future of Alfredo Morelos once again this term.

Sevilla are leading the race to sign the Colombian in a potential eight-figure deal and Rangers will have to decide whether or not to cash in on their talisman forward as he enters the final year of his contract with the club.

Adding more goals to the team is one of Van Bronckhorst’s priorities ahead of his first full season in charge and Colak - who has been capped three times by Croatia - has been identified a key target despite a mixed campaign for PAOK. Rangers will spend the coming days being put through their paces on home soil before Van Bronckhorst takes his side to Portugal for a training camp that is scheduled to culminate with a friendly fixture against Championship side Sunderland.

A handful of other pre-season fixtures have also been confirmed as Van Bronckhorst seeks to remodel his Ibrox squad ahead of the first cinch Premiership clash away to Livingston next month before the crucial Champions League qualifiers begin the following week.