Liverpool lead in race for Jelavic

Liverpool lead the race to sign Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic ahead of West Ham United and QPR, according to the player’s father.

The Croatian international has scored 15 league goals so far this season for the Glasgow side, and has won praise for his technique as well as his aerial ability.

Championship leaders West Ham are believed to have made a six-million-pound offer for the forward, but talks reportedly stalled over his pay demands, with Jelavic understood to be asking for double his reported 15,000-pound wage to move to the East London club.

Jelavic’s father Philip told The Sun: “We know about the interest of West Ham and QPR. But Nikica has five or six clubs that are interested, including that of the great Liverpool.”

“As for West Ham and QPR, Nikica is more ambitious than that. It’s most likely that he’ll sign for Liverpool.”

“But there are a few days until the end of the window, so we’ll see.”

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce had reportedly made an approach for Jelavic after he was unable to sign Huddersfield Town striker Jordan Rhodes, claiming the club had been given the impression that signing the former Rapid Vienna man might be a possibility.

“Jelavic is one of many others because we have been made aware by other sources that he might be available,” Allardyce said.

“We have made bids to bring people in – but have not managed it yet.”