Rangers-linked Nicolas Raskin free to enter pre-contract talks on 1 January
Rangers enquired about Standard Liege midfielder Nicolas Raskin in the summer and he’s free to enter pre-contract talks on 1 January, according to Voetbalnieuws.
Raskin emerged on Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s radar in the summer after the 21-year-old was a standout performer for Belgian outfit Standard Liege last season.
No deal ever came to fruition from the summer talks, but his latest contract news will certainly catch Rangers’ attention. Raskin’s current deal expires in the summer, meaning he’s available to discuss pre-contract agreements on 1 January.
This comes via Belgian outlet Voetbalnieuws, who stated: “Standard they still hope that Nicolas Raskin will sign. However, time is running out, because from January 1 he can talk freely with other clubs.”
Feyenoord are touted as favourites in the report, but Rangers are mentioned alongside Club Brugge and Spezia as teams to have shown prior interest.
No harm in trying
It seems inevitable that Raskin will have a number of contract offers on his table in January. The 21-year-old defensive midfielder is viewed as a very promising talent in Belgium and will be fiercely fought over by suitors.
However, that shouldn’t dissuade Rangers from putting a contract offer in front of him. Gers boast a rich club history and can hopefully offer Raskin European football playing for the biggest club in Scotland.
Wages may be the stumbling block, but Rangers are desperate for a young midfielder and Raskin perfectly fits the bill. With no fee attached to his signing the board should go all out and ensure he’s offered a competitive wage.
Scott Arfield and Steven Davis need to accept a more reserved role in the squad as they enjoy the twilight years of their career, and Giovanni van Bronckhorst desperately needs some fresh legs in the centre of the park.
Having to wait until the summer for Raskin to officially sign is frustrating as Gers could do with his services immediately, but it’d still be a major coup to pick up such a talented player for free.
In other Rangers news, Martin O’Neill offers Giovanni van Bronckhorst sympathy at Rangers as ‘money talks’