Benalouane on Rangers' radar

RANGERS are keeping tabs on St Etienne's £2.5 million-rated defender Yohan Benalouane.

Ibrox boss Walter Smith, who has just lost 18-year Danny Wilson to Liverpool, has looked at the player and is ready to make his move for the 23-year-old, who would be his first paid-for signing for more than two years.

Rangers will face opposition from Sevilla, West Ham and Newcastle in the race to sign the former France Under-21 player who will be out of contract next summer. Benalouane is eligible to play for Tunisia but is hoping to step up to the French national side. He has also said he would welcome a move to a club which will play in the Champions League.

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Smith, with Rangers in Sydney for a pre-season warm-up, admitted interest in Benalouane.

"I'm aware of him," he said. "We are working flat out to sign players and he has been brought to our attention. He is a good young player."