22 July 2008

Rangers were last night offered firm encouragement in their pursuit of PSV Eindhoven’s wantaway midfielder Mika Vayrynen.

The 26-year-old Finnish international has again emerged on the radar of Walter Smith following the long-term injury to influential skipper Barry Ferguson.

Smith was first linked with Vayrynen a year ago, when the player came close to joining Derby County prior to a calf injury disrupting the agreement.

Also tracked by Belgian side Club Brugges, the playmaker has only a year left on his contract and is available for a knockdown £750,000.

‘Mika is a player we have agreed to let go this summer,’ admitted PSV spokesman Pedro Salazar. ‘He only has a contract for another year and we don’t want him to leave for free. So if he wants to go, we will be sympathetic.’

The Finn’s agent, Alex Kroes, admitted a move to Scotland would appeal to his client, saying: ‘I haven’t heard from Rangers so far, but a club in Belgium are interested.

‘Right now, we don’t have a deal with anybody. But Rangers would be a very nice club for Mika, so let’s hope they will come to do something.’ Source - Mail on Sunday

22 July 2008

RANGERS' pursuit of midfield reinforcements received a boost today as PSV Eindhoven revealed Mika Vayrynen is up for sale.

The 26-year-old Finnish international has moved on to Walter Smith's signing radar following the long-term injury to captain Barry Ferguson.

The Ibrox manager was linked to the playmaker just over a year ago and has made tentative enquires regarding his availability - and he has been encouraged with news the Dutch side are prepared to offload the player.

Vayrynen has only a year left on his current contract to run and PSV are thought to be ready to sell him if a £750,000 bid is tabled - which is well within Rangers' transfer budget.

PSV spokesman Pedro Salazar said: "He only has a contract for another year and we don't want him to leave for free. So if he wants to go, we will be sympathetic."

The player's agent, Alex Kroes, added: "I haven't heard from Rangers so far, but a club in Belgium are interested. Rangers would be a very nice club for Mika, so let's hope they will come to do something." Source - Evening Times