RANGERS will have to raise the stakes if they want to lure Lee McCulloch back to Scotland.

And former boss Paul Le Guen has been told he'll need to pay top dollar to take Jeremy Clement with him to PSG.

As the Ibrox transfer merry-go-round gathers speed, McCulloch has been targeted by Walter Smith as part of his January rebuilding plans, which should see veteran defender Davie Weir become his first signing today.

The 28-year-old McCulloch - a lifelong Gers fan and best pal of Ibrox skipper Barry Ferguson - has told Wigan boss Paul Jewell he wants to return to the SPL, six years after quitting Motherwell.

It is believed McCulloch is considering submitting a written transfer request to earn his dream move to Ibrox.

Rangers chairman Sir David Murray will continue talks with Wigan owner Dave Whelan today after the pair struck a loan deal for Andy Webster this month.

McCulloch signed a new three-year contract in July. Wigan are said to have put a £1.5m price tag on his head, with Rangers only tabling a £750,000 offer so far.

Smith is a big admirer of McCulloch after bringing him into the Scotland set-up and knows he can play in a variety of positions.

The player's agent, John Viola, who also has Gers target Alan Gow in his stable, said: "I know there have been clubs enquiring about Lee. But, at the moment, he is still a Wigan player."

As revealed in later editions of SportTimes yesterday, Le Guen wants to take Clement to PSG after he took over as boss yesterday.

The 22-year-old is not believed to be unhappy at the prospect of playing under Smith, but would prefer to go back to France.

Le Guen snared him for a bargain £1.1m from former club Lyon in July. But a Rangers source said: "Jeremy had 10 months of his contract to run back then. He has two and a half years at Rangers.

"Paul has expressed an interest and is close to the player. But he knows what his value is."

Should Clement go, speculation would only be fuelled that Smith is about to make late moves for Hibs duo Scott Brown and Kevin Thomson, with Hearts' Paul Hartley still in the equation.

Meantime, Weir's agent is believed to have agreed terms on a loan deal for the 36-year-old who is expected to travel to Murray Park to complete formalities.

Weir said: "I'm hoping to get up the road, but there are a few things that need sorted down here first.

"Davie Moyes and Everton have been excellent about it all. He knows I just want to be playing, that's the most important thing for me.

"Rangers is a great opportunity for me at this stage of my career. But it would be the case at any stage of your career, that's whay I want it to happen."

The move for Gow is on-going, although Falkirk appear resolute in their decision to hold out for £500,000. Signing the 24-year-old on a Bosman for a summer arrival might now be the likely outcome.

Wolves today pulled out the race. "Alan's preferred choice is Rangers and I can't argue with him wanting to go there," said boss Mick McCarthy.