Despite allegedly having no funds available this transfer window, Everton are close to signing Rangers forward Nikica Jelavic in a £6m deal.

Goals have been hard to come by this season for David Moyes’ men, netting only 22 goals in the league. This is the main reason why they currently sit just eight points outside the relegation places and Moyes is keen to bolster his attack in order to move up the Premier League table.

It is reported that Everton have tabled a £6m bid for Rangers’ top-scorer after generating some much-needed funds from the £5m sale of Diniyar Bilyaletdinov to Spartak Moscow yesterday.

Rangers have yet to confirm whether they have accepted the bid but they have gone on record saying that only approaches of £8m would be considered for a player they don’t want to let go on the cheap.

Jelavic moved to Rangers from Rapid Vienna in 2010 for £4m and has been inspirational for the Gers to date, scoring 30 goals in 45 appearances and looking like a player who could cut the mustard in the Premier League.

Other clubs have also shown an interest, including West Ham United, who apparently held talks with the Rangers board this weekend to discuss a transfer, but with Everton now showing a firm interest, any dreams of the Hammers of getting the star striker have been dashed.

If the Toffees can’t agree a fee with Rangers then it is looking likely they will step up their interest in either Nicky Maynard from Bristol City or even try and tempt Wolves hit-man Kevin Doyle to Merseyside with a £6m bid.