Rangers need to ‘have transfer conversation’ for £4.7m star at Ibrox

Rangers need to “decide very quickly” if they will be involved in the battle to sign Nicolas Raskin, transfer insider Dean Jones has told GIVEMESPORT.

The arrival of Michael Beale as manager has cast the club’s January transfer plans into doubt.

What’s the latest news involving Raskin and Rangers?

Reportedly a target for Rangers in the summer with a £4.7m asking price, midfielder Raskin has once again been linked with the Scottish side ahead of the January window.

Reports from Belgium, via the Daily Record, suggest the 21-year-old could be shown the exit door by his current club Standard Liege after refusing to sign a contract extension.

Raskin is believed to be training with the youth players and a move away from Belgium looks increasingly likely in January.

As for Rangers, their exit out of the Champions League group stage with one of the competition’s worst-ever records, alongside a poor showing domestically, has seen a sizeable gap open up between themselves and rivals Celtic.

Hopes of reclaiming the Scottish Premiership title appear shattered as the New Year approaches, with reigning champions Celtic continuing their pursuit of back-to-back championships.

Such poor form eventually led to cult hero Giovanni van Bronckhorst getting the sack, just months after the Dutch manager guided Rangers to the Europa League final.

His assistant, ex-Queens Park Rangers boss Beale, already knows what it’s like to deliver success at Ibrox having been part of Steven Gerrard’s backroom staff.

Under Gerrard, Rangers won their record-extending 55th Scottish title – an achievement that prevented Celtic from winning 10 Premierships in a row.

Replicating that success will likely prove a tough task for Beale, not least because Celtic under the stewardship of Ange Postecoglou have re-established themselves as the team to beat in Scotland.

Step one of the plan for Beale could hinge on a successful January transfer window, with midfielder Raskin reportedly on Rangers’ radar.

What is the capacity of Ibrox?

45,817


50,817


55,817


60,817

What has Jones said about Raskin and Rangers?

Having had time to assess the squad since arriving, transfer insider Jones insists Beale will now have to have some tough conversations about potential incomings.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jones said: “Rangers does have a different set-up now with the team and the management [after summer links], but it’s a conversation to be had.

“There are other clubs looking at Raskin and Rangers have to decide very quickly if they’re to be in that conversation.”

How would Raskin fit into the Rangers side?

A dynamic player capable of operating anywhere across the midfield three, it’s hoped Raskin could have the qualities to transform Rangers’ poor campaign.

Since joining Standard in January 2019, Raskin has emerged as one of the nation’s brightest talents with the midfielder capped at every youth level for Belgium.

Yet to make his senior debut Raskin has knocked on the door to the national team, impressing with his performances in the Belgian Pro League.

As per Transfermarkt, Raskin has notched up five goal contributions from his 18 appearances across all competitions for the Liege-based outfit, and has 13 assists for them in total.

A touch of youthfulness wouldn’t go amiss in the Rangers midfield, with the likes of Ryan Jack, Scott Arfield and Steven Davis all well over 30 years of age.

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