Rangers are hoping to steal the signing of highly-rated Charlton Athletic youngster Alfie Doughty from under the noses of Old Firm rivals Celtic, according to reports.
Hoops boss Neil Lennon is a long time admirer of the 21-year-old and pursued a move for the League One starlet last summer.
However, they face competition for the midfielder from English Championship side Stoke City and now city rivals Rangers, who hope to repeat the trick that saw them take Joe Aribo to Ibrox from the Valley for free at the end of the campaign.
The Scottish Daily Mail said Stoke had launched a move to convince The Addicks to cash in on their asset now before losing for nothing when his contract expires in June.
The Potters have allegedly submitted a £600,000 bid for his services in the hope that he will join up with Michael O'Neill's side this month as they push for the play-offs in England's second tier.
Lennon's side had at least one bid rejected for Doughty during the summer, with hopes he could help solve the problem left back slot.
Diego Laxalt is set to return to parent club AC Milan at the end of the season, while Greg Taylor has struggled to nail down a starting place in the Hoops' squad.
But Doughty, who can also play further forward, is now on the radar of Steven Gerrard, who wants to bolster his attacking options out wide.
The Old Firm could get Doughty for a 'cut-price' fee due to cross-border rules, meaning the compensation payment due to Charlton is drastically less than that which could be claimed by another English side.
