THOMAS BUFFEL could spark a flurry of late transfer window activity at Rangers by moving to Hannover 96 in a £1.4m deal.

Hannover want Buffel before Wednesday night's deadline and the Belgian's agent, Ken Anderson, confirmed a deal was well down the road after talks.

The Germans today said they were "confident" Buffel would fly over to sign a deal with them.

It is believed the 25-year-old former Feyenoord man - signed two years ago for just over £2m - is not part of the long-term plans under new boss Walter Smith.

And, with Smith seeking as many as four new faces before the window closes, Buffel's fee and reported £19,000-a-week salary will strengthen his hand.

He has yet to spend anything on transfer fees after bringing in Andy Webster, Davie Weir and Ugo Ehiogu.

Julien Rodriguez moved to Marseille earlier this month, freeing up his £15,000-a-week salary. And Jeremy Clement was sold last week to PSG for around £1.8m.

Sources at Ibrox say they expect "one or two" players to be moved on before Wednesday.

On the arrivals front, Hearts midfielder Paul Hartley is still very much on Smith's radar, although the Gers manager is pursuing "several options".

The fee for the 30-year-old Hartley could still be a problem. Rangers are very well aware Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov wants rid of the Scotland man along with keeper Craig Gordon and others.

And Gers believe £1m is a decent price for a player who has 18 months of his contract still to run.

Romanov may be forced into lowering his £1.5m valuation if he is keen for the quick sale.

Wigan midfielder Lee McCulloch could be edging closer to his dream move to Ibrox. Nigerian striker Julius Aghahowa and Spurs midfielder Danny Murphy are being pursued by boss Paul Jewell. And, if he lands his targets, and Rangers increase their offer for the Scotland man to around £1.5m, a deal is likely to be sealed.

Falkirk, however, are adamant Alan Gow will not be sold for less than their £500,000 valuation.

A second offer of £150,00 for Gow, 24, who has already agreed to a Bosman summer move, was rejected on Friday.

A third offer could come after the Bairns CIS Cup semi-final against Kilmarnock tomorrow, but boss John Hughes fired: "Rangers will have to get real if they want him just now. If they want him in so he can settle for next season then they will have to pay up. It is as simple as that, Rangers will have to cough up and pay the going rate."

Motherwell havereceived no contact from Gers about striker Scott McDonald.