Lille are ready to ramp things up in the fight to land Rangers target Fashion Sakala.
The French side are keen to land the on-form KV Oostende star on freedom of contract this summer.
Record Sport had previously revealed that Sakala is also being scouted closely by Rangers.
Lille, ironically, who failed in a very public and long-winded pursuit of Alfredo Morelos, have now entered the fray.
The Ligue 1 club no longer have the same financial clout after the collapse of the lucrative French television deal and have had to rein in their transfer activity.
They have also scouted Sakala extensively in recent weeks and he has come to the fore after seven goals in as many games for European-chasing KV.
The Zambian international has an impressive 13 goals for the season and has a strike rate of more than one in two games this season.
Sakala is aware of Rangers interest and is known to be keen on the move, with Champions League football in the offing.
The Govan club have still to offer a pre-contract.
If they did agree terms then they would need to make sure that Sakala would meet the new criteria for a work permit.
KV Oostende are trying to get Sakala to extend his contract but that is looking increasingly unlikely with the growing interest in him.
KV executive president Gauthier Ganaye said:“Fashion is a good and important player for the team.
“We have been keen to try and get Fashion to sign a new contract since we took over at the club.
“We know there is a lot of interest in Fashion but we have had no approach from Rangers to the club with regards to a pre-contract.
“We are hoping we can convince Fashion to remain at KV Oostende and continue his development with us.”
