AC Milan are attempting to hijack Rangers deal for Sankhoun Diawara | OneFootball

Troyes defender Sankhoun Diawara is on the verge of joining Rangers, according to Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna.

Rangers manager Derek McInnes wants the club to sign top players this summer to boost their chances of winning the Scottish Premiership next term.

They have agreed terms to sign Diawara, but AC Milan are attempting to hijack the deal.

The seven-time Champions League winners want the Rangers target to join their under-23s.

However, McInnes is offering the 6ft 3in French defender a place in their first team squad.

The 20-year-old defender won the Ligue 2 title with Troyes last term. He made 17 appearances across all competitions.

He scored once in the Coupe de France and assisted once in the league, and Rangers are convinced that he has what it takes to improve their squad.

FC Basel also have Diawara on their radar, but Rangers have moved into pole position and will hope to prevent other clubs from snatching him.

He is out of contract at Troyes next year and has no plans to sign an extension, which has forced them to agree to sell him.

Rangers have been keen to sign a natural left-sided centre-back this summer and identified the Frenchman as a top target weeks ago.