PAOK Salonika are refusing to budge on their €3million valuation of Antonio Colak after turning down a second bid from Rangers.
Sources in Greece say the Ibrox club have returned with an improved offer for the Croatian international frontman. But the €2.3million proposal – which also included a sell-on clause – has been booted out by PAOK owner Ivan Savvidis, who is holding firm on demands for €3million.
Colak has emerged as Gio van Bronckhorst's No.1 target as he looks to beef up his attacking options ahead of Rangers’ new campaign. The 28-year-old has been capped three times by Croatia and was the man responsible for torpedoing the Light Blues' Champions League push last season as his deadly double for former club Malmo dumped the then Scottish Champions out at the third qualifying stage. But the Glasgow giants have been told they will have to increase their offer for the German-born striker if they want him on board for this year's assault on the group stage. Colak was a major hit on loan in Sweden last term, blasting 19 goals for Jon Dahl Tomasson's side.
But he hasn't quite hit the same heights for PAOK and Salonika are determined to retrieve the €3million they forked out when they bought him from Croatians Rijeka two years ago. If an agreement cannot be struck, Rangers will be forced to turn their attention to their other targets. Van Bronckhorst is also keen on Norwegian free agent Erik Botheim and Sunderland striker Ross Stewart.
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