Boro's wide boy Johnson wanted at Ibrox but Tottenham, Everton and QPR are also in the hunt

Middlesbrough are likely to resist any bid to sign the 20-year-old on a permanent basis but could be amenable to a loan move which may ultimately suit all parties.

Wanted wing wizard: Adam Johnson is being chased by a number of clubs north and south of the border

Tottenham, Everton and QPR are also keen on Johnson, who is under contract until 2010 and a product of Middlesbrough's renowned academy.

The White Hart Lane club had a £ 1million plus add-ons offer dismissed out of hand by Boro in January, with a minimum price of £4m suggested in the aftermath of that failed bid.

Both Premier League sides have asked to be kept informed of any developments with the player but the Riverside Stadium club would not be keen on Johnson moving to one of their top-flight rivals.

His opportunities for first-team football on Teesside are limited by the presence of England international Stewart Downing, who recently signed a new five-year contract after Tottenham tried to lure him to London.

Yet some judges at the Riverside view Johnson as a better prospect than Downing was at that age and realise he will not be content to sit on the bench for another campaign.

He made just three Premier League starts last season - plus 16 substitute appearances - and also scored five goals in 12 Championship games while on loan at Watford.

Rangers scouts have tracked the progress of the England Under- 21 cap over the past 12 months and are believed to have made a firm recommendation to Ibrox boss Smith.

Middlesbrough counterpart Gareth Southgate is keen to establish the success of his own squad strengthening before deciding on Johnson's future, so it is likely to be later in the summer before Rangers know whether any deal can be pushed through.

A loan period at Ibrox would grant the player an opportunity to sample European football, while also providing Smith with a quality attacking option as he faces up to being without Naismith and Burke for a large chunk of next season.

Sorely missed: Rangers' Steven Naismith, pictured celebrating with team-mates, underwent an operation to fix a damaged cruciate ligament

Naismith is unlikely to return until spring 2009 after undergoing an operation to mend a damaged cruciate ligament, while Burke is targeting a November comeback following ankle surgery. Adding more wing options will be one of Smith's priorities this summer.

The manager lost DaMarcus Beasley for six months of the last campaign with a knee injury, the American making his first start since November in last Saturday's 3-2 Scottish Cup Final victory over Queen of the South at Hampden.

The subsequent injuries to Naismith and Burke severely limited Rangers' options in the latter part of an epic 68-match campaign, with Steven Davis and Steven Whittaker often asked to fill wide roles which neither would regard as natural positions.

As Sportsmail reports today, Rangers may have to make plans that do not include Davis as four Premier League clubs are chasing his signature.

The Ibrox club is holding out hope that Daniel Cousin's desire to leave Glasgow could instigate a cash-plus-player deal with Fulham.

The London club last night announced that striker Brian McBride would be leaving them to return to America, freeing up a forward berth for Cousin. But whatever happens, his agent is adamant that the Gabon international will be leaving in the summer no matter what.

"I would expect Daniel to leave Rangers this summer," Willie McKay told Sky Sports.

"He was disappointed when the move to Fulham in January was blocked but he showed what a professional he is by returning to Rangers and scoring a few important goals for them.

"He would love the chance to play in the Premier League and there is interest from a number of clubs."