Ally McCoist is hopeful Rangers can strike a deal with Scotland internationalist Christophe Berra.

The centre-back is a free agent after leaving Wolverhampton Wanderers at the end of last season and the Ibrox manager already has held discussions with the player and his agent. Finance is a potential stumbling block, though, with Berra having earned a substantial wage in England that Rangers are unlikely to currently match.

Recruiting centre-backs and a goalkeeper are McCoist's priorities, and he also admitted to an interest in the Bosnian internationalist Boris Pandza, who was recommended by former Rangers defender Sasa Papac. Seven players have agreed to join the club as free agents on September 1, when the registration embargo ends, but McCoist is adamant that the squad needs to be strengthened further.

That is likely to require departures, to reduce the wage bill and squad numbers, with up to six players liable to leave as the manager reshapes his team. The pursuit of Berra will need to be dogged, since the defender has other options, but McCoist is intent on trying to bring the former Hearts player back to Scotland.

"Without doubt, Christophe is someone I'm looking at," McCoist told the Rangers website. "He's a great age [27], a good player and he has vast experience. I know he has one or two options, which I totally understand, and the financial aspect will certainly come into it. I appreciate that because he has a young family.

"Christophe is someone we'd be keen to discuss terms with, though. We've been lucky enough to strengthen in other areas but centre-back is a key position for us and it's important we strengthen there, too. I've spoken to Christophe and to his agent. There's still an awful lot of work to be done if there's going to be a deal but the signs are we could possibly do something."

Pandza is a free agent after leaving Mechelen in Belgium, and the 26-year-old was the subject of an encouraging report by Papac, who returned to his homeland after retiring from football two years ago. With 22 caps, the centre-back would also bring some much-needed experience. Dorin Goian and Carlos Bocanegra, who spent last season out on loan, have received pay-offs and the latter has joined Chivas in America. That leaves Rangers with just Emilson Cribari, Chris Hegarty, Ross Perry and Sebastian Faure for the centre of defence.

"Boris has come to our attention and my chief Bosnian scout Sasa Papac, who I talk to on a regular basis, speaks highly of him," McCoist said. "They are both from Mostar, so they know each other well, and Sasa has given him a glowing report. Everything we've heard about Boris has been very positive and he is another one we have been looking at. It's not rocket science. The majority of the goals we lost last season were from set plays and central defence is an area we'll certainly have to do better in this year."

Pre-season training began last week, but Arnold Peralta is not due to join up with his new team-mates until July 10. The midfielder is at home in Honduras recovering from a thigh muscle tear he suffered during international duty.

"Before I go to Rangers, I need to recover and be 100%," Peralta said. "I am getting physiotherapy for a tear in my right thigh, which I got when we played against the USA in the World Cup qualifier last month. It's important for me to be fit when I get there and make a big impression."

Meanwhile, the former Ibrox striker, Gordon Durie, has joined the club's coaching staff to work with the reserve and under-20 players.