Five alternatives to Diagouraga Rangers could move for this window

Rangers' transfer window isn't exactly going to plan so far. Toumani Diagouraga has signed for Leeds United, and we'll need to look for alternatives. How sincere Mark Warburton was being when he said he was happy to move on to other targets if the fee was too high is questionable, but there's no choice now. This list was a bit harder than the other one, where we looked at alternatives to Michael O'Halloran. We had to trawl the very depths of our minds and we saw things in there, terrible things that nobody should ever have to see. Eggert Johnson, anyone?

We're sure Frank McParland and Mark Warburton will have a more encyclopaedic knowledge on this than us, but nonetheless - here are five players who we think could add something to that position in the team.

1.Will Vaulks

A player Rangers have been already linked to, Vaulks can play at centre-back or defensive midfield and has helped Falkirk to an impressive campaign so far. Still young but a very impressive player for his age and would also give us much-needed defensive cover.

Pros: Versatile, high potential, would annoy Peter Houston, shouldn't be too expensive

Cons: Falkirk would dig their heels in, lacks experience, would negate the possibility of Falkirk consigning Hibs to the Championship for a third season.

2. Miguel Pallardo

Pallardo's contract is expiring at the end of the season, and he brings experience, toughness and class to the position in front of the back four. We could arrange a pre-contract now and try and get a deal done this window once he'd agreed to move, although the difference in prize money between third and second might force Hearts to refuse our advances.

Pros: Experience, quality, and having played at this level before.

Cons: Hearts might play hardball, no resale value at 29 years old.

3. Matt Crooks

It's probably a sign of good forward-planning that in both of these articles we've been able to include players who we've already agreed to sign. Accrington still seem incredibly bitter about this (their chairman was even today gleefully RTing the news that we'd missed out on Diagouraga on Twitter) but they can probably be made to do a deal to bring the big man in early.

Pros: A big physical presence, wouldn't cost too much, would get to help his development and get him bedded in earlier.

Cons: Perhaps more of a box-to-box player, lacks experience.

4. Massimo Luongo

Luongo, an Australian international, moved to Queens Park Rangers for £3m only this summer, so we were surprised to be linked with him in the Australian press. But even a loan deal would surely be worth exploring - he's probably the best player out of all the options on this list.

Pros: Good experience for his age, dynamic, skillful player.

Cons: Would be unlikely to be available at a reasonable price for a permanent deal.

5. Adam King

Brother of Billy and old Hearts midfielder Adam King spent the first half of the season on loan at Crewe, where he looks to have had a fine half-season, but was surprisingly recalled by Swansea. A new manager might see him move up or down the pecking order, and he may well be seen as a better bet if the Swans get relegated, but a loan deal with a possibility of a permanent transfer isn't too outlandish.

Pros: Huge potential, brings creativity as well as physicality to the position, would increase our chances of signing Billy King at some point in the future and of therefore having a player in the team whose name is very similar to King Billy

Cons: More used to playing further up the park, questionable as to how likely a permanent deal would be

Anyone else spring to mind? Let us know in the comments.