Standard Liege now put Nicolas Raskin in shop window for Rangers
Nicolas Raskin has been put “in the shop window for Rangers” as his time at Standard Liege appears over, according to Dean Jones.
The 21-year-old midfielder was linked with a move to Ibrox in the summer, with the club reported to be in talks over reducing his fee [The 4th Official, 27 August], although an agreement was never reached.
And while his agent suggested that the links may be over last month [Scottish Sun, 19 November] the Belgian under-21 international has since fallen out with the club and seems certain to leave after being banned from training, leaving former Eurosport journalist Jones to consider him there for the Gers’ taking.
Jones told Give Me Sport (27 December): “It’s interesting how he has been pushed to one side at the moment.
“That certainly seems to have put him back in the shop window for Rangers.”
Now or never
The first half of the season looks to have proved those who felt the summer transfer business was lacking a midfield addition correct, and if there was interest in Raskin then it is hard to see why there wouldn’t any be now.
A fee would surely be minimal in January, with his contract up in the summer and his use to Standard now minimal, so the value of a deal would be at its highest.
If Michael Beale has different targets in mind then the ship might have sailed, but with Steven Davis ruled out for the rest of the season and the long-term futures of Glen Kamara and Scott Arfield far from certain there is likely to be room for more than one arrival in midfield.
The stars seem to have aligned for Rangers to belatedly get a deal done, potentially for free if he is set to leave in the summer and won’t play before then.
So if they are ever going to follow through with their interest in the man who has made 96 appearances for Standard, scoring five and assisting 13, then now is the time to do it.
The board have made clear they are ready to back Beale in the transfer market, and Raskin certainly looks like low hanging fruit at the moment.
In other Rangers news, one new favourite has been praised for his performances out of position while a teammate has been criticised.