Wanderers are leading the race to sign Croatia international Ivan Klasnic before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

Gary Megson is desperate to land a proven goalscorer and looks set to land the Nantes front man ahead of Spanish club Racing Santander in the next 24 hours for a fee believed to be around the £3million mark.

Klasnic has struggled since switching to France from Werder Bremen last summer but had hit 49 goals in 150 Bundesliga appearances prior to his move.

He also boasts 11 international goals in 35 appearances for his country — a number lower than might be expected because of a year spent out of football recovering from a kidney transplant.

The six-foot striker scored twice at Euro 2008 and has hit three goals in his first four games this season.

Rumours also continue to circulate over Wanderers’ interest in Leeds United striker Jermaine Beckford.

Megson had earlier distanced himself from a move for the 27-year-old, who is valued by the League One side at £3m.

But it is understood that he could still be on the club’s radar if the bid for Klasnic falls through.

One player who will certainly not be signing for Wanderers is former skipper Kevin Nolan.

Megson confirmed that the Whites had made an official approach to take the midfielder on loan for the rest of the season but had been knocked back by Newastle United.

“If I have upset anybody at Newcastle I do apologise but somebody has contacted them on our behalf, and we understand that Kevin is not for sale, not for loan, so we have moved on,” the manager said.