By Graeme Macpherson

PAUL LE GUEN has revealed he hopes to have the deal to bring Jeremy Clement to Rangers signed and sealed before the weekend.

The midfielder jetted into Ibrox for talks yesterday and Le Guen - who worked with Clement at Lyon two years ago - is keen to have the transfer concluded before the squad sets off for their summer training camp in South Africa on Saturday.

And the manager hopes the capture of the 21 year-old will be another positive step in his bid to achieve the right blend of experience and youth in the squad.

He said: "I hope he is likely to sign and we are making progress. I hope that we will be able to announce his signature by the end of the week and before we leave for South Africa."

"I hope he will agree terms before the end of the week. He came yesterday and saw Murray Park and Ibrox and he was pleased with that so I'm optimistic.

"He is a young player which will be interesting for us. I hope we can find the right balance of experience and youth.

"We already have Karl Svensson who is young (22), and Libor Sionko who is experienced.

"If we get Clement the balance will be good."

Le Guen remains on the trail of Swedish international Johan Elmander but revealed he will widen his search for a striker if a deal for the Brondby man can't be concluded.

He added: "It has been difficult to recruit Elmander. We will try to continue to keep discussing with Brondy and the player.

"It's not easy and at the moment it's too expensive but we can wait. We are searching for a striker but it depends if players leave the club."