RANGERS today revealed that striker Daniel Cousin has a £3million exit clause in his contract - but it doesn't become active until the summer.

The Gabon internationalist, who has scored six goals since his £1m move from Lens in August, was linked with several Premiership clubs over the weekend.

Rangers are unhappy that he is being hawked around by agents, and that the details of his contract have been made public.

Boss Walter Smith is keen to keep ahold of Cousin for the season at least, and he will not be sold in January unless a major bid comes in.

However, chief executive Martin Bain today confirmed there is a clause in the 30-year-old's contract that allows him to move at the end of the season for £3m.

Should that happen, the club would make a £2m profit on the player in a year. Bain explained: "I am disappointed that someone has chosen to bring into the public domain details of a contractual agreement with a player.

"There is an exit clause in Daniel's contract. But it cannot take effect until the end of the season. And the fee required under the terms of the deal is £3million."

Smith is already looking at striking options, regardless of Cousin's situation, for both the short and long term.

He knows that Jean-Claude Darcheville only has a season to go after this one, while Nacho Novo is out of contract at the end of the campaign and has yet to be offered a new deal.

With Cousin's situation now unclear - sources close to the player today saying he is unhappy at not being first pick at Rangers and would like a crack at the Premiership - Smith is looking at both an experienced hitman and someone with potential.

It is also understood that Thomas Buffel, Ugo Ehiogu and Chris Burke could all go in January, with a left-back and a centre-half also on Smith's wish-list for the second half of the season.