RANGERS hope to strike an agreement to sign Heerenveen midfielder Joey Veerman in a deal that could be worth up to £7million.

The 22-year-old has emerged as a key target for manager Steven Gerrard this summer as he looks to bolster his squad ahead of Rangers' Premiership title defence and upcoming Champions League qualifiers.

Gerrard has already added Nnamdi Ofoborh and John Lundstram to his midfield ranks ahead of the new campaign, while striker Fashion Sakala joined up with the Ibrox squad for the first time on Thursday following his move from Oostende on a four-year deal.

The champions remain in the market for further reinforcements and Veerman could become the most expensive arrival of the transfer window at Ibrox as Rangers look to fend off competition from the continent to land the highly-rated Dutchman.

Continued doubts over Glen Kamara's long-term future in Glasgow, with Watford and West Ham united closely monitoring the 25-year-old's situation this summer, means that Gerrard could have to move for another option to provide cover in a competitive midfield battle.

A package worth up to £7million could be required to convince Heerenveen to part with Veerman as Rangers gear up for the new season that begins with the visit of Livingston to Ibrox later this month as the Premiership flag is unfurled.

Veerman spent three years with Volendam before making the move to the Abe Lenstra Stadion in 2019 and his fine form in the Eredivisie has now alerted Rangers as Gerrard seeks to improve his squad once again following the arrivals of Ofoborh and Lundstram, from Bournemouth and Sheffield United respectively, and Zambian hitman Sakala.

The champions host Arsenal in their first Ibrox outing of the new campaign this weekend before making the trip to face Blackpool in midweek and the clashes with Brighton and Real Madrid will round off the summer schedule before the big kick-off in the Premiership.