Bougherras Vow

Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra insists he will not quit Ibrox because he does not want to jeopardise his international career.

The former Charlton centre-back snubbed West Brom in the summer in order to join Rangers because of his desire to play European football.

But Rangers – who crashed out of this season’s UEFA Champions League qualifiers to FBK Kaunas – has since been linked with a move elsewhere as his club reportedly look to raise funds.

Skysports.com recently revealed that Newcastle are understood to be tracking the Algeria international, but Bougherra is not keen on a move because he does not want to ruin his World Cup dream.

Desire

When asked about his desire to stay in Glasgow by an Algerian newspaper, Bougherra said: “There are several reasons for this.

“The main one is I do not want to move clubs just a few weeks before we start the next World Cup qualifiers.

“I want to keep my place in the squad. It is important to me.

“I do not want to jeopardise that by changing clubs. In addition, I play for a great club called Glasgow Rangers.

“This is where I have managed to raise the standard of my game and I think I can improve even more by staying here.”

Newcastle, Sunderland, Bolton and Wigan want Bougherra

The interest in Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra is mounting, skysports.com understands.

Rangers have insisted that they do not want to let the Algerian international leave Ibrox just over six months after he signed for them.

Bougherra arrived in the summer from Charlton and he has made a huge impact.

However, his excellent form has caught the attention of a host of clubs south of the border, and a number of Premier League side are ready to test Rangers’ resolve.

It is believed a bid of around £4million could tempt the Scottish giants into selling and they are bracing themselves for a number of bids. 

Newcastle are known admirers of the 26-year-old and are ready to make a move, but they are not the only interested party.

Sunderland, Bolton and Wigan are also ready believed to be gearing up bids.

McGregor to Toon – If Shay Leaves

Arsenal are weighing up a swoop for Republic of Ireland star Given as No1 Manuel Almunia and his deputy Lukasz Fabianski test Arsene Wenger’s patience.

SunSport can reveal Newcastle’s technical staff emerged from crunch talks over the last 48 hours to earmark McGregor, 26, as their ideal replacement.

Ironically, Scotland squad man McGregor is on the Gunners’ radar too after his magnificent form last season alerted Wenger to his ability.

Ibrox manager Walter Smith would prefer to keep McGregor after handing him a five-year deal just last summer.

But Newcastle know cash-strapped Gers are desperate and feel they could get their man if they make a move.

And the stark reality is a bid of around £6m would tempt Rangers owner Sir David Murray to sell.

McGregor, 27 later this month, is a big fans’ favourite and his departure would be another hammer blow to Gers’ title hopes.

Ibrox skipper Barry Ferguson is also edging towards Newcastle.

Portsmouth are ready to tempt Toon with a £5m bid for bad-boy midfielder Joey Barton.

And if that deal goes through, the Ferguson pursuit will intensify.

Toon manager Joe Kinnear groaned: “We have got one fit central midfielder in Geremi.

“I’ve made this statement to the owners, so they are aware of the situation.”

Kris Boyd and Barry Ferguson = 6m

RANGERS will sell both captain Barry Ferguson and top scorer Kris Boyd this month – if they can rake in £6million for the pair.

Boyd is almost certain to be a Birmingham player by the end of the week despite Gers booting out a bid of £3m last night from St Andrew’s.

The Ibrox club want £3.5m for the 20-goal hitman – 2.5m up front and the rest if City reach the Premiership.

Ferguson can join him at the exit door if anyone meets Rangers’ £2.5m valuation and Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear has already gone public with his interest.

Record Sport can reveal Ibrox boss Walter Smith and chairman David Murray have held an emergency summit to draw up a transfer window strategy after being alerted to interest in two of their most prominent players. Rangers last night confirmed Birmingham had declared their intent and Murray revealed he was willing to do business.

He said: “Birmingham have made an enquiry. We talked about money but we haven’t agreed a fee and no business will be done today.

“We rejected a bid of around £3m but if they improve it, we’ll allow them to speak to Kris.”

Smith and Murray have agreed to offload both Ferguson and Boyd this transfer window – but only if the price is right.

While five other players – Allan McGregor, Madjid Bougherra, Pedro Mendes, Steve Davis and Kevin Thomson – have been categorised as untouchable, Ferguson and Boyd will be allowed to move on before the market shuts at the end of the month.

With Smith’s side currently trailing Celtic by five points this is a hugely risky strategy and one which is certain to anger many of the club’s supporters.

But, following the financial disaster caused by crashing out of the Champions League qualifiers to Kaunas, Murray has demanded Smith trims his squad.

In fact, the manager would use some of the money raised to bolster his defence by securing a new centre-half, although top target Tonel may have been priced out of a move by Sporting Lisbon, who now want £4m for the Portuguese international.

Birmingham have so far fallen short of matching Murray’s demands for Boyd and are also attempting to piece together a three-year payment package.

Murray, though, wants the bulk of the fee paid up front and will also insist on an additional bonus payment of up to £1m if Boyd helps McLeish win promotion and bag a £30m ticket to the Premiership.

That should bring the total sum up to around the £3.5m mark – while Rangers would be happy to accept around £1m less for Ferguson who turns 31 next month.

Newcastle’s interest in the Ibrox skipper is, however, less straightforward given that the Geordies have so far failed to make any official contact with Rangers, despite Kinnear’s weekend claims of an official enquiry being made.

The manager’s somewhat bizarre approach has baffled both Smith and Murray who suspect third-party involvement behind the scenes.

But they believe a bid could be tabled and will do business if Newcastle reach their £2.5m valuation of the Scotland skipper.

Ferguson – by far the biggest earner on Smith’s wage bill – has 18 months left on his current £30,000-a-week Ibrox contract and has been made aware that he will not be given the same financial package should he chose to extend his deal.

But the player could expect to rake in substantially more money on Tyneside and would also hope to sign at least a three-year deal.

The Gers boss also believes he can absorb the loss of Boyd and Ferguson by getting more from players such as Kyle Lafferty, Maurice Edu, Nacho Novo, Andrius Velicka and Stevie Naismith who have been on the fringes of his first team this season.

Meanwhile, Alan Gow has agreed terms on a £250,000 switch to Wolves and should complete his move in the next 24 hours.

Spurs, Villa, Newcastle & Liverpool All Linked Cuellar?

Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Newcastle United are the Premier League clubs linked with a move for SPL Player of the Year Carlos Cuellar of Glasgow Rangers, according to reports in the Glasgow press.

With the exit of the Gers from Europe and the loss of the £12million in revenue it would have brought to Ibrox Park added to Rangers huge service debts, the ‘Old Firm’ side could be forced to sell one of their stars. Newcastle have reportedly had an offer for the 26-year-old central-defender rejected earlier in the summer.

Villa seem unlikely to make a move for Cuellar, with the expected arrival of England International’s Nicky Shorey and Luke Young at Villa Park imminent. While Liverpool would appear to be unlikely suitors with the options they already have in defence at Anfield.

Spurs on the other hand are linked with numerous players, and White Hart Lane boss Juande Ramos is a keen admirer of Cuellar, who he knows from his time in La Liga in Spain.