Rangers rejects Jelavic bid

The offer from the Championship leader failed to meet the Scottish champion's valuation of the Croatian.

Jelavic is the club's top goalscorer with 17 goals this season and has also been linked with Liverpool, West Bromwich Albion, Fulham and Queens Park Rangers.

Rangers manager Ally McCoist confirmed at the weekend that informal talks regarding Jelavic had taken place between chairman Craig Whyte and his West Ham counterpart David Sullivan.

The Hammers have now followed up their interest in the 26-year-old with a firm bid.

Although the figures involved are unconfirmed, it has been widely reported the east London club tabled £7 million ($10.34 million).

Rangers previously rejected an offer of £6.5 million ($9.6 million) from Leicester City for the striker in August.

Jelavic was quoted in a number of newspapers on Wednesday expressing interest in a move to West Ham but also claiming he would be happy to remain with the Scottish champion.

He was quoted as saying: "West Ham are a great club; they are not a second division club.

"They are a famous Premier League club who happened to be relegated last season and will return to the Premier League next season.

"It would be nice to play there if the opportunity comes up and the club agrees.

"But I am also playing at a big club and it wouldn't bother me in the least if I had to stay here."