Rangers have been playing hard-ball with English clubs when it comes to their star Striker Nikica Jelavic. The Daily Mail reports West Ham have become the latest of many clubs to have their interest rebuffed after their £6 million approach was described as ‘not nearly enough’. McCoist told the Mail of any bids ‘If it was in that region, people would be wasting their time.’
Instead Chairman Craig Whyte is holding out for more money for the Croatian striker. But this would surely be edging toward the sort of fee that could land Lucas Podolski!
However despite this strong stance, it seems unlikely Rangers will be able hold on to the player. A £5 million bid from Leicester has already been rejected, as well as a £9 million bid from an unnamed European side (probably Fenerbache). Now Fulham, QPR, and Liverpool are also interested, and pressure is mounting on McCoist to accept the much needed cash.
In the crowded race BBC sport claims Liverpool are the front runners. A pitiful 22 goals scored this season shows Liverpool are in desperate need for a striker to be the kind of player they hoped Carroll would be. But like Carroll, Jelavic could be another big money signing that’s struggles to make an impact. It may seem unlikely given Jelavic’s goal scoring record (17 goals already this season). However it is important to remember that is SPL goals.
Scoring goals in the SPL has not always translated to success in other leagues. In recent years Barry Ferguson, Craig Gordon, Garry O’Connor have all made the move south, only to not live up to the reputations they had created north of the border.
The interest from the likes of Fulham and West Ham is understandable, but Liverpool? If they are hoping that Jelavic is the man to solve their goal scoring problems it seems they’re taking another, albeit cheaper than Carroll, risk. Liverpool fans might wonder when they will see another Suarez level signing.
