Rangers fear they could miss out in the race to sign Claudio Pizarro despite offering the Bayern Munich striker £45,000 a week.

According to the Daily Record, last week's meeting between Ranger boss Walter Smith and the Peruvian hitman's agent went favourably but it's now understood Juventus will weigh in with a much bigger contract offer.

The Italian giants have just won promotion back to Serie A following their enforced relegation last year and they are now prepared to give Pizarro a senational £60,000 a week.

With the 28-year-old's contract at an end this summer having become out-of-favour at the Allianz Arena, Bayern can't demand a transfer fee and now Juve look to have capitalised.

Rangers could afford the reported £45,000 a week after the wages of the departing Stefan Klos and Dado Prso were freed up but they'll be unable to stretch their budget to that of the Italians.

PSV Eindhoven, Valencia and Inter Milan are also in the hunt for Pizarro, making the chances of him coming to Ibrox now looking slim.