Hull City move for Nicolas Raskin highlights Rangers' biggest summer problem

Hull City's approach for Nicolas Raskin will tell us an awful lot about Rangers' ambitions for the coming season.

Raskin is no stranger to being linked with an Ibrox exit, not least this summer as his displays at the World Cup catch the eye.

Bologna and Atalanta are said to both hold an interest in the Belgium international, as do teams in Turkey.

Rangers are believed to have knocked back bids for Raskin in the past, but the situation now looks a little different.

Hull appear to have tested Rangers' resolve already this summer with a bid in the region of £12-14million.

While that bid appears to be well short of the mark, it is already clear what Rangers' biggest issue will be this window.

Rangers already make one thing very clear over Nicolas Raskin

Raskin impressed as a substitute in Belgium's first game at the World Cup, coming around the time he was linked with a couple of Serie A clubs.

The 25-year-old has impressed for Rangers over a number of years now, but there has long been a fear he will move on this summer.

Raskin has two years to run on his existing Ibrox contract, so Rangers know his value will likely drop considerably in 12 months' time.

As per BBC Humberside, however, Hull's bid for Raskin is well short of the £20m or so Rangers value Raskin at.

First bids always tend to be a fair bit below a team's expected valuation, and there is a long way still to go before the window closes.

While it is positive the Gers have made it clear they will not sell Raskin for a fee well below his asking price, it remains to be seen how far they will budge.

The big worry is that a bid of, say, £18m or so comes in for Raskin late in the window and Rangers' eyes light up.

Derek McInnes could easily build his entire side around Raskin, so that would be pretty disastrous for the new manager.

But if Raskin does indeed have an asking price, it always leaves the door open for that exact scenario to play out.

Hull not alone with Premier League interest

Hull's move for Raskin has come as a surprise given they need to sell players swiftly to balance the books.

The Tigers shocked many by earning promotion to the English Premier League last season, but they face a tough campaign ahead.

Hull are not alone in showing an interest south of the border, as Crystal Palace and Tottenham were also linked last summer.

As were Wolves, who have since been relegated to the second tier of English football.

It is safe to assume Raskin - previously hailed a "fighter" by Rudi Garcia - will not be taking a backwards step if he does leave Ibrox, so the links to Serie A clubs are more of a concern.

But with bids already being lodged for the Belgian, it is going to be a very long summer if Rangers are to stand firm on their asking price.