Source: Daily_Mail
QPR set to launch £1m bid for Rangers Madjid Bougherra
QPR are stepping up their bid to land Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra this summer, even though their promotion to the Barclays Premier League could be put in jeopardy by the Football Association.[LNB] Sportsmail can also reveal that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger despatched a scout to Motherwell on Saturday to watch the Algerian international - and his Rangers team-mate Allan McGregor - for the third time since January. [LNB]Alex McLeish's Birmingham City are also tracking left-back Sasa Papac. [LNB] Home and abroad: Bougherra (right) facing PSV in this season's Champions League for Rangers[LNB]QPR boss Neil Warnock, who sent his own representative to Fir Park, remained coy on his pursuit of Bougherra. Warnock said: 'I will be looking to increase our squad after winning the Championship and I've seen my name linked with Bougherra.[LNB] 'But I'm not going to comment on anyone from now until next season. That way I stay out of trouble.' [LNB]Promotion depends on events at an FA tribunal, when QPR face seven charges on ownership issues regarding the signing of Alejandor Faurlin in 2009. The FA inquiry has been running since September and a decision is expected by Friday, with the spectre of docked points - and a drop back into the play-offs - still hanging over the London club. [LNB]But Warnock is nonetheless plotting an Ibrox transfer raid in anticipation of promotion and sent one of his backroom staff, reserve-team coach Ronnie Jepson, to watch Bougherra on Saturday. [LNB]The defender has already publicly declared that he expects to leave Ibrox this summer, with only a year left on his existing deal. Rangers would be vulnerable to a bid of around ?1million, with the 28-year-old able to sign a pre-contract Bosman agreement from January. [LNB] Tribunal: QPR's promotion fate rests on the FA's decision over Alejandro Faurlin (left)[LNB]Arsenal scout Alex Stafford was also in Lanarkshire on Saturday and it is believed Bougherra and McGregor were the players coming under scrutiny. Wenger has admitted the Gunners must strengthen in defence, while keeper Manuel Almunia is thought likely to leave the Emirates this summer. [LNB]Stafford watched Rangers twice in Edinburgh in January as he attended games at Hearts and Hibs in the space of five days. Bougherra scored in a 2-0 triumph at Easter Road on January 26, while McGregor's recent form has been nothing short of exceptional. [LNB]Rangers were, themselves, linked to potential transfer targets. Blackpool midfielder David Vaughan is known to be of interest to manager-inwaiting Ally McCoist, while Southampton winger Jason Puncheon is another who could be on his radar. [LNB]Meanwhile, as the stock exchange reopens, Rangers fans will hope that Craig Whyte's takeover bid can finally be completed. Sources close to the deal claimed that a successful conclusion remained the expectation of the parties involved, with an 'alternative' bid from Dave King and Paul Murray not having done enough to satisfy Sir David Murray and Lloyds Bank.[LNB] Rangers star Bougherra is ex-Ibrox ace Shota's top target at KayserisporBougherra set for summer exit after turning down new Rangers dealArsenal run the rule over Rangers duo Bougherra and McGregor [LNB] Explore more:People: Neil Warnock, Madjid Bougherra, David Vaughan, Alex McLeish, Arsene Wenger, David Murray Places: Edinburgh Organisations: Football Association
