Rangers told to pay up for United midfielder Gomis

Ibrox boss Walter Smith's summer recruitment drive began on Friday with the controversial return of £2million former Celtic striker Kenny Miller from Derby County, while former Hearts attacker Andrius Velicka arrived in Glasgow last night and will undergo a medical and discuss personal terms today.

Back at Ibrox: Rangers' new signing Kenny Miller at Murray Park Training Complex in Glasgow

He will then return to Norway before completing his £1m switch from Viking Stavanger in time for Rangers' Champions League qualifiers, which kick off on July 30.

Smith has now turned to Gomis after the 22-year-old midfielder caught his eye with impressive displays in the CIS Cup Final in March, which Rangers won on penalties, then the 3-3 draw at Tannadice weeks later.

United boss Craig Levein spotted Gomis - who once had trials at Chelsea - playing for Cowdenbeath in a 5-0 CIS Cup defeat to Falkirk in August 2006 but saw promise enough to hand the Frenchman a two-week trial - then an 18-month contract.

The player penned a lucrative new two-year deal in September and, with United in a position of negotiating strength, it is understood a bid of £750,000 would be needed to tempt the Tayside club into selling.

Last night the club said there had been no offers for the player, but Sportsmail understands Levein is well aware of the interest from Ibrox.

A healthy fee for Gomis would help fund Levein's own summer transfer activity, with the United boss keen to land £200,000-rated Willo Flood, who also excelled during a season-long loan, on a permanent deal from Cardiff City.

United are also set to complete the signing of 19-year-old German striker Andis Shala from VFR Mannheim.

Burnley, meanwhile, have failed in a bid to sign out-of-contract Tannadice midfielder Mark Kerr.

The Championship club also saw a £400,000 bid for Celtic striker Derek Riordan turned down, while a final £1m move for Hearts' Andy Driver was knocked back.

Former Ibrox misfit Egil Ostenstad has explained why Viking let Velicka travel to Glasgow for signing talks.

The Viking general manager said: "We look upon this as a unique opportunity for a player who is almost 30 years of age. Andrius now has the chance to join one of the biggest and best clubs in Europe and he will earn much more than he ever would here."