Rangers hope to take advantage of the cross-border loophole to sign Wigan youngster Kyle Joseph, according to a report.
But the Ibrox side face stiff competition from Tottenham to sign the highly-rated 19-year-old.
Joseph is out of contract at the end of the season and Spurs tried to sign him in the summer, only to be rebuffed.
And the Sun on Sunday say Rangers hope to get the Scotland U21 frontman on a pre-contract.
That would mean they could steal him for a minimal fee as compensation while English-based clubs would have to go to a tribunal.
Blackpool made an enquiry to sign him last week but were quoted £1million by the struggling Latics.
Wigan are having financial problems and could be willing to sell Joseph in January if a pre-contract is already agreed.
He’s scored four goals in 11 games in League One this season and Steven Gerrard has been looking to add to his squad for next season.
The Ibrox side have been scouring the lower leagues for gems and also offered a contract to Charlton's Alfie Doughty.
The wideman is also wanted by Celtic but Rangers hope to steal a march on their rivals and bring him to Ibrox.
Gerrard and sporting director Ross Wilson have also reportedly been looking at Oostende frontman Fashion Sakala.
