Rangers are keen to conclude a season-long loan deal for Roma striker Umar Sadiq.

The 21-year-old Nigerian has been on Steven Gerrard's radar all summer, but it is understood that interest has now intensified as the Ibrox manager pursues his eighth signing.

Roma are aware of Rangers' desire to add Sadiq, but a number of other clubs have also been tracking him with a view to a loan.

Rangers are keen to conclude a season-long loan deal for Roma striker Umar Sadiq

Standing 6ft 3ins tall, the youngster scored five goals in 13 games when spending the second half of last season with Dutch outfit NAC Breda.

Ibrox assistant Gary McAllister admitted this week that they were keen to improve the 'physical profile' of the squad through their recruitment and Sadiq would fit that bill.

Meanwhile, new £2million centre-back Nikola Katic has revealed how he snubbed potential riches in Russia to become part of Gerrard's Ibrox revolution.

The 21-year-old Croatian was wanted by Spartak Moscow, but withdrew interest in their lucrative contract proposal after Rangers made their move.

'I didn't speak with Spartak - just my agent,' said Katic, who joined from Slaven Belupo earlier this month.

'I didn't speak with anyone other than the people at Rangers when I arrived in Glasgow.

The youngster scored five goals in 13 games on loan with Dutch outfit NAC Breda last season

'For me, Rangers are bigger than Spartak because of all the history and, in my opinion, Scottish football is better than in Russia. The money wasn't important - I just want to play.

'The Steven Gerrard factor was very important because he was a really great player and knows everything about football and everyone said to me: 'It's Steven Gerrard, you need to go because you will learn and make good steps'.

'The size of the club and the coach were the main factors. Last season, I could have gone to CSKA Moscow but they wanted to put me on loan at first.

'They wanted me to go to Anzhi Makhachkala, but I wanted to play for another season in Croatia before moving.'

Fellow new recruit Ovie Ejaria admitted the Gerrard factor was also key in his switch after the Liverpool midfielder linked up with former Anfield skipper on a one-year loan deal.

The 21-year-old Nigerian has been on Rangers boss Steven Gerrard's radar all summer

Having spent the second half of last season at crisis club Sunderland, Ejaria admitted that experience was a painful one.

But he told RangersTV: 'I would say my time at Sunderland has definitely made me mentally stronger.

'The more games I play at senior level the better I am getting.

'I have watched quite a few Old Firm games on the telly. It is a massive derby.

'I am looking forward to walking out into that atmosphere for the first time. It is going to be a really good feeling.'

Meanwhile, Cardiff City remain keen on Rangers attacking midfielder Josh Windass.

Sportsmail revealed last month that the newly promoted Premier League side were tracking Windass and they could now test Gerrard's resolve to retain the player with an offer.