Rangers are said to be in pole position to sign Nottingham Forest-linked defender John Souttar.
The centre-back has had plenty of admirers this month, as he enters the final six months of his Hearts contract, with a long list of suitors fighting for his signature.
As well as the Reds, Championship rivals Sheffield United, Stoke City, Middlesbrough and Blackburn Rovers are all said to have been keen, as well as a couple of MLS teams.
But he is “seriously considering the idea of staying in Scotland”, according to the Scottish Sun, with Rangers the “front runners”.
It is said Souttar initially “favoured a switch” to the Blades or Rovers on a pre-contract deal, being given a tour of Bramall Lane and also travelling to Blackburn for talks.
But the emergence of Rangers’ interest seems to have changed his thinking.
He could now “declare his next destination by the end of the week”, leaving Hearts with a decision to make about whether to cash in now.
Forest have already been busy in the transfer market in the first two weeks of the January window.
Striker Keinan Davis arrived on loan from Aston Villa on the first day, with defender Steve Cook making a free transfer from Bournemouth shortly after.
Full-back Richie Laryea then became the club’s third addition, joining from Toronto FC.
And boss Steve Cooper is unlikely to be finished there, as he looks to put a squad together which is capable of challenging for promotion in the second half of the season.
