PASCAL FEINDOUNO has admitted he'd love to team up with close friend Jean-Claude Darcheville at Rangers next season.

The 26-year-old St Etienne star is said to be on Walter Smith's radar, with the French press claiming the Ibrox club are leading the race to sign the Guinean international playmaker.

Feindouno has been valued at £4m - a price that would put him out of Rangers' reach unless it comes down. But Czech winger Libor Sionko could be put in as a makeweight as St Etienne boss Ivan Hasek is keen on signing his countryman.

Capable of playing as an attacking midfielder, or a second striker, the skilfull Feindouno has also been linked to Spanish clubs Deportivo La Coruna, Levante and Valencia.

But he is close to Darcheville after playing alongside him at both Lorient and Bordeaux.

Feindouno, who played against Celtic and Hearts with Bordeaux, said: "Rangers are a huge club and Jean-Claude is my friend so this could be tempting for me.

"The Scottish League is very physical and that would be a real challenge. But it would allow me to play in the Champions League."

The player's agent believes the price tag prevented Feindouno from leaving St Etienne in the past, and insists it could be negotiable.

"We know Rangers are interested, but they are not the only club," said Amadou Diaby.

"However, Rangers could be a good solution for Pascal. They are obviously a big club with a big tradition.

"The fact Jean-Claude Darcheville will be playing for them next season is a good thing.

"St Etienne are ready to let him go and they have set a price of £4m. But even this could be negotiable."

But St Etienne chairman Bernard Caiazzo said: "Pascal had an agreement to leave. He will cost £4m."

Smith has again said only one bid for a player has been lodged - the failed effort to get Scott Brown from Hibs - but frantic activity is now expected.

The Rangers boss will press ahead with moves for Kilmarnock's Steven Naismith, Hibs' Steven Whittaker, Wigan's Lee McCulloch and PSV's DaMarcus Beasley.

"We keep hearing this one and that one has turned Rangers down, but they haven't the opportunity to do that as we've only bid for one player so far," Smith insisted.

"We have an interest in a number of players and will try to get who we want. I am happy with the budget I've got and we'll handle that."

Rangers await the next development in the Andy Webster case before they make moves to sign him permanently.

Hearts appeal to the Court of Arbitration on Friday, over the £625,000 compensation set by Fifa for the defender, could run for a while.

Rangers may again have to take him on loan from Wigan for the first half of the season, until a final price is set.