Daniel Cousin returned to Rangers last night, and caused further confusion to Walter Smith's transfer plans, after FIFA refused to sanction his £3m transfer to Fulham.
World football's governing body refused to uphold the Londoners' appeal after it emerged the Gabon internationalist had played 20 minutes of competitive football for Lens this season. Under FIFA rules, players are restricted to two clubs in one season and despite Fulham's request for special dispensation, the 30-year-old flew back to Glasgow to resume his Rangers career.
"Daniel Cousin will be back at Murray Park tomorrow after his proposed move to Fulham was blocked by FIFA," said a statement on the club's website last night. "Rangers had agreed a £3m transfer and the player travelled to London last week. However, under FIFA regulations, a player cannot be registered with three different teams in one season."
The Herald understands Rangers enquired about Kyle Lafferty, Burnley's £3m-rated attacker, but Cousin's return has put that interest on hold.
As Alan Hutton eventually completed his £9m transfer to Tottenham Hotspur late last night, Rangers also resumed negotiations with Christian Dailly to provide defensive cover and versatility.
West Ham United have approved Rangers' request to sign the 34-year-old Scotland internationalist on loan until the end of the season with the option of a further year. Dailly was initially reluctant to uproot his wife and four children from their Essex home but is enthusiastic about the prospect of a move to Rangers in the twilight of his career and will arrive this morning as a replacement for Ugo Ehiogu.
Thomas Buffel's proposed loan deal to Cologne has also been revived. The Bundesliga 2 side were not prepared to match Rangers' £1m transfer valuation and were also reluctant to pay a loan fee for the Belgian. Last night, sources in Germany suggested they are now willing to negotiate with Rangers to sign the midfielder until the end of the season, after a failed attempt to re-sign the unsettled Lukas Podolski from Bayern Munich.
"I need to play and that's why I can imagine going even to a second division club in Germany," said Buffel. "I'm open and happy to take this option. At this point, though, I don't know if the transfer will happen or not. It is up to the clubs to decide it. I feel 100% fit again but I need to play more games. It's not in my hands but we will see what will happen."
Andy Webster will today discover the level of compensation he must pay Hearts for breaking his contract to join Wigan Athletic. Hearts have rated the player at £5m but the Court of Arbitration for Sport are expected to announce a verdict this morning. Webster is liable to pay the fee but is expected to be refunded by Wigan, or Rangers if they make his loan deal permanent.
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