RANGERS could look to strike a deal to sign Aberdeen forward Scott Wright this month after formalising their interest in a Bosman move for the Pittodrie star.
Reds boss Derek McInnes has confirmed he has held talks with Ibrox counterpart Steven Gerrard regarding Wright as Rangers prepare to open contract negotiations with the 23-year-old.
Wright is free to sign a deal that would take him to Ibrox in the summer but Aberdeen are open to the prospect of the forward leaving during the January window.
That could see out-of-favour Greg Stewart move in the opposite direction as a makeweight in the transfer as Gerrard seeks to add Wright to his ranks for the Premiership title run-in.
Wright has informed Aberdeen of his desire to leave Pittodrie and McInnes has thanked Rangers for the manner in which they have conducted their business as he faces the prospect of losing one of his key men sooner rather than later.
McInnes said: "There has been a conversation at boardroom level. I spoke to Steven yesterday (Monday), he called me to say that they would have an interest in Scott on a pre-contract and wanted to do things properly.
"That is not always the case when it gets to players running out of contract. We appreciate that Rangers came through the front door and did things properly.
"I resigned myself that Scott was leaving anyway. We made our first offer to Scott in the first week in October and we have never had any encouragement from Scott or his agent.
"They never really gave us a chance of a counter offer so I have resigned myself over the last few months that the likelihood is he was leaving at the end of the season and nothing has really changed on that.
"I think there is more than one club interested but nonetheless, Rangers have illustrated that they have an interest in Scott and they could do a pre-contract with Scott, really any time.
"We don't want to lose Scott, he is a key member of the team, as you know, and has been this season. So we are disappointed we are losing him come the end of the season.
"If we receive a good offer, from Rangers or whoever, it is up to the board to weigh that up, to see - like any of our players - if it is an opportunity for Scott to move on before the end of the season."
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