Sochaux up bid for Maurice Edu but Ally McCoist eager for player to stay at Rangers

The French club have lodged a second bid for the United States international after failing with a previous offer, reported to be in the region of £500,000.

Sochaux assistant coach Stephane Gilli said: “We’ve made a second bid for Edu and we’ve made a bid for one player in the English Championship.

“We need an answer quickly. Our chairman has spoken to Rangers’ chairman [Craig Whyte]. Obviously we want the player, but it’s up to Rangers. We think he is a quality player. We need him and we need him quickly.”

Rangers manager Ally McCoist confirmed last week that the club had rejected a bid from Sochaux for 25-year-old Edu.

Speaking on Friday, he said: “We rejected a bid from Sochaux for Maurice Edu and I can tell you that I want Maurice Edu to sign a new contract rather than go anywhere.”

McCoist has revealed he also wants to see Sasa Papac and Sone Aluko secured on new deals.

Papac is out of contract this summer, while former Aberdeen winger Aluko joined the Scottish champions in November until the end of the season, with the option to extend the deal by a further two years.

McCoist told Rangers Monthly: “I would have to say both Sasa Papac and Sone Aluko deserve new contracts. Of that there is no doubt.

“Sone has been a breath of fresh air. Sasa had a couple of periods out with illness, but he is so solid. He has performed very well in all of his years at the club. I would say that both Sone and Sasa are two players we’re keen to hold on to.”

One player Rangers are keen to bring in before the transfer window closes is Real Valladolid striker Javi Guerra, who revealed yesterday that the Ibrox club have been tracking him for a year.

McCoist confirmed earlier this week that he was considering making a move for Guerra, and the 29-year-old player has admitted he is flattered Rangers are looking at him. And news of the SPL champions’ raid on the Spanish Second Division side comes as no surprise to Guerra.

He said: “I have known of Rangers’ interest, even from last year. And yesterday I spoke to my agent who confirmed it.

“If such a team is interested in you, then that is important to me and I appreciate it. But they must make a bid first and it has to be one that the club value.

“I like the idea of their interest in me because it is very motivating for me. But I am still here and I remain very comfortable at this club too.”

Guerra was top scorer in the Spanish Second Division last term and bagged a weekend hat-trick against Sabadell.

QPR were linked with a £3 million move for the striker who has also played for Valencia, Alaves, Levante and Mallorca before a £250,000 move to Valladolid two years ago. He netted 29 goals in 42 appearances last season.