Rangers have reportedly rejected a bid from West Ham for striker Nikica Jelavic.

The offer from the npower Championship leaders failed to meet the Scottish champions' valuation of the Croatian.

Jelavic is the club's top goalscorer with 17 goals this season and has also been linked with Liverpool, West Brom, Fulham and QPR.

Rangers manager Ally McCoist confirmed at the weekend that informal talks regarding Jelavic had taken place between chairman Craig Whyte and his West Ham counterpart David Sullivan.

The Hammers have now followed up their interest in the 26-year-old with a firm bid.

Although the figures involved are unconfirmed, it has been widely reported the east London club tabled £7million.

Rangers previously rejected an offer of £6.5million from Leicester for the striker in August.

Jelavic was quoted in a number of newspapers on Wednesday expressing interest in a move to West Ham but also claiming he would be happy to remain with the Scottish champions.

He was quoted as saying: "West Ham are a great club; they are not a second division club.

"They are a famous Premier League club who happened to be relegated last season and will return to the Premier League next season.

"It would be nice to play there if the opportunity comes up and the club agrees.

"But I am also playing at a big club and it wouldn't bother me in the least if I had to stay here."