Danilho Doekhi to Rangers transfer door opened by Vitesse as Serie A side line up contract offer for in-demand defender

In-demand Danilho Doekhi is edging closer to his Vitesse exit - but Rangers face a battle to land a pre-contract move.

The defender has been tracked by a number of clubs across Europe as he approaches the end of his deal in the Eredivise.

Vitesse had remained hopeful a deal could be ironed out for the towering centre-back, but incoming technical director Benjamin Schmedes has admitted defeat.

Speaking to GLD he stated he is now looking at replacements for the captain: "We have no time to lose.

"We are going to tackle signings and I expect the first results in the spring. You can see itas a threat (Doekhi leaving), but I see it as challenging opportunities."

But the Scottish Premiership is not the only potential destination for Doekhi.

La Repubblica state that Genoa are keeping tabs on the centre-back and sporting director Johannes Spors is weighing up a pre-contract offer to take him to Serie A.

Gio van Bronckhorst is among the admirers of the 23-year-old as he looks to find a successor for Connor Goldson in the summer.

The club have already move to snap up Hearts defender John Souttar on a pre-contract deal.