RANGERS chairman David Murray has ruled out a January transfer window swoop for Wigan defender Andy Webster.

The former Hearts stopper has again been mentioned as a possible solution to the centreback problems at Ibrox.

He was the target of a GBP1m bid by Alex McLeish 18 months ago, but Murray says he is not on Paul Le Guen's target list - for the moment.

It is also believed Fifa red tape would prevent Webster moving back to Scotland just months after he became the first player to invoke their new employment rule.

Webster served notice on Hearts he would be leaving after completing three years on a four-year contract. That allowed him to move for a nominal fee, set by a Fifa tribunal, to new employers outwith Scotland.

The 24-year-old was snapped up by Wigan and, after a long process with Fifa because this was a ground-breaking case, he finally made his debut in October.

But the Scotland star has played just three games and is said to be unsettled, sparking speculation Rangers were ready to move.

"I know we were interested in him in the past, but not at the moment, " said Murray.

"How could we when we have no idea what the fee would be?"

Murray also refused to comment on whether Rangers were interested in former Hearts captain Steven Pressley, who is also being tracked by Celtic, Newcastle, Southampton and Derby.

It is believed Elvis is on Le Guen's list of possible January targets, and an interest has been posted with his agent Blair Morgan, but he is not the first choice.

Le Guen has targeted two young centre-halves from Europe - one of which is believed to be Young Boys of Berne's 6ft 2in Ivory Cost stopper Steve Gohouri - a player the Gers boss has now watched twice recently.

He could be available for around GBP1m, but is also being monitored by a host of mid-table Premiership sides.

Le Guen's funds for a centre-half are likely to be boosted by the departure of Julien Rodriguez. The former Monaco man knows he is no longer first choice and could be shipped back to France, with Rennes, Nantes and Nice interested.

The likes of Lionel Letizi, Gavin Rae, Phil Bardsley and Lee Martin are likely to leave in January as Le Guen frees up money for three quality signings.

Meanwhile, young Romanian sensation Marius Alexi could be on his way to Ibrox in a GBP250,000 deal.

The 16-year-old plays with Dinamo Bucharest and is already a firstteam player.

Chelsea, Man United and Liverpool are all said to be looking at the midfielder, who will arrive in Glasgow shortly for a week's trial at Murray Park.

A Dinamo spokesman said: "He is an exceptional player Rangers are very keen to sign."