CITY CHASE IBROX STAR; EXCLUSIVE Bluebirds boss Jones is making Cousin his next big target.

Byline: Terry Phillips

CARDIFF City manager Dave Jones has fixed his sights on Rangers striker Daniel Cousin as the man who could end his search for a big target man.

Jones has made inquiries about the Gabon international and could move in with a pounds 1m plus offer.

The player's agent, Willie McKay, who also acts for Newcastle United's Joey Barton, today confirmed Cardiff City's interest.

He almost signed for Premiership Fulham in a pounds 3m deal last January, a move vetoed by Fifa because he had already played for Lens in France and Scottish Premier League Rangers in the same season.

Manager Walter Smith was keen to keep Cousin at the time.

But with fellow Bluebirds target Kris Boyd now staying at Ibrox, he is willing to let him go for a fee.

Cousin, 31, is under contract with Rangers for the next two seasons and Smith will look for a pounds 2m-plus fee.

The Bluebirds have not yet made an offer for Cousin, but could well make their move this week as manager Jones lines up his last two signings.

He remains keen to sign Welsh international Ched Evans on a season-long loan from Manchester City.

And if he did snap up Cousin and Evans, Jones is likely to have those two battling with Robbie Fowler and new boy Ross McCormack for the starting places.

Cousin was born in Libreville, Gabon, and scored 26 goals in three seasons for Lens before making a pounds 1m move to Rangers last year, scoring 10goalsin 26 appearances including one duringa3-0 win against Lyon in the Champions League. He also played for French lower-league clubs Martigues and Niort earlier in his career.

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TARGET: Daniel Cousin of Rangers