A report by TEAMtalk has claimed that Rangers have opened contract talks with Nicolas Raskin and intensifying their efforts to keep hold of the midfielder. The move could frustrate Aston Villa among others as the Premier League team had set sights on the Belgian star for this window.
Nicolas Raskin has made a huge impact on Rangers, with the Scottish giants eager to build their team around him. The Ibrox outfit have been impressed by the Belgian’s application on the pitch and how he improves the side to a great extent.
Hence, they are not leaning towards a big sale of their star and instead remain keen to tie him down to a new deal. Rangers have opened talks over a new contract, which could be seen as a proactive step from the Scottish giants to secure his future rather than reactive amid growing interest from elsewhere.
Whether Rangers are successful in their efforts remains to be seen. Having previously valued the midfielder at £25 million, the Ibrox outfit have now increased it by £5 million to £30 million. Should Nicolas Raskin leave for a fee between £25-30 million, he would be their record sale and easily surpass the fee they received for Calvin Bassey.
A host of English clubs have been interested before, including Aston Villa, Fulham and Leeds United. Those teams are set for a frustrating time should the £30 million-rated midfielder end up renewing his deal. Given his current deal expires in 2026, the midfielder will likely cost more on a longer contract at Ibrox, something interested clubs want to avoid.
Aston Villa had stepped up their interest in Raskin lately, with the club viewing him as a cost-effective signing that strengthens their midfield options. The Birmingham-based side are not short of midfielders at the moment with Raskin’s compatriots Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana the main choices alongside Boubacar Kamara.
Amid the PSR-related concerns at Villa Park, Emery’s side might see the wisdom in recruiting a player like Nicolas Raskin for the £30 million-rated midfielder as a smart investment as Villa may not have to break the bank to secure a top-rated midfielder.
Aston Villa will be keeping close tabs on those contract talks over in Ibrox for the £30 million-rated midfielder, and they will readily pounce at the right time if things do go south. However, with Fulham and Leeds United also keen, the West Midlands outfit face a nervous wait. While Fulham may need to replace Andreas Pereira, Leeds United are eager to reinforce their squad to suit the Premier League
