Rangers should act quickly and sign Heerenveen midfielder Joey Veerman before his value skyrockets, according to Michael Ball.

The reigning Scottish Premiership champions have been heavily linked with Veerman throughout the transfer window, with the club expecting he could cost up to £7million.

Veerman has sprung to Gers manager Steven Gerrard's attention after registering nine goals and 11 assists in 35 Heerenveen appearances last season.

Rangers have faced competition for the Dutchman's services, with an unnamed club lodging a bid last month.

Hellas Verona have also been interested and, after the Italian club saw a €5million offer pushed back having fallen short of the midfielder's €12million price tag, Veerman criticised his current employers by telling Dutch media outlet VI he was being priced out of a move by Heerenveen.

It appears Rangers have been handed a boost in their pursuit of the 22-year-old as Feyenoord have pulled out of the race for Veerman.

Former Gers left-back Ball insists Veerman has the potential to break into the Netherlands' international squad, when his price tag will increase further if a move to Ibrox has not already been completed.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, Ball said: "It's a huge opportunity for Rangers, financially, to try and get a guy like Joey in.

"If he moves to PSV or Ajax, he would go straight into the Dutch side and that's when his transfer fee would jump up. Then Rangers would miss the boat. 

"It's an opportunity to get a guy who seems to be hungry to play for Rangers and wants the move to happen."