13 December 2005

RANGERS are considering a January loan bid for Barcelona ace Maxi Lopez, according to today's papers.

Ibrox boss Alex McLeish has been alerted to the Argentine frontman who is out of the first-team picture with the Spanish giants and manager Frank Rijkaard is prepared to let him go to get games.

McLeish has made it his top priority to bring in more firepower for the knockout stages of the Champions League and to try and revive their ailing fortunes on the domestic front.

The struggling champions want somebody to take the pressure off Dado Prso and the Rangers boss has already made discreet enquiries about Lopez's availability.

The Barca youngster, who would also be eligible to play in the last 16, moved to the Nou Camp last season in a £3.5 million move from River Plate.

The 21-year-old is behind Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o, Deco, Henrik Larsson and Santiago Ezquerro.Lopez has only made eight top team appearances but is attracting interest from clubs like West Ham, and Spanish side Real Betis.

McLeish could make up the bulk of the player's wages by letting flops Franny Jeffers and Federico Nieto return to Charlton and Almagro.

David Murray has already told McLeish that he can spend in January and Eck has given his chairman his wish-list with a striker and a left-sided midfielder top priorities. Source - Daily Star