Hull City also expressed an interest in the Ibrox mainstay
Aston Villa remain ‘big admirers’ of Rangers midfielder Nico Raskin despite a failed summer transfer window swoop.
Alongside fellow Premier League side Hull City, the Villans made contact with Rangers over a potential move after the Belgian impressed on World Cup duty, however reported verbals offers of around £12m were quickly fended off. By the end of the window, Turkish giants Besiktas came closest to securing Raskin’s signature - but transfer talks fell through at the 11th hour and he remained a Rangers player.
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Since then, the 25-year old has re-established himself as a first-team regular under Derek McInnes after being left out of previous squads due to transfer speculation. Raskin admitted in the summer he was ‘mentally ready to leave’ the club - but is content with where he is at now. However, TeamTalk revealed that further transfer interest could just be round the corner.
Belgian is currently on international duty.placeholder image
Belgian is currently on international duty. | AFP via Getty Images
Is Raskin still the subject of transfer interest?
They claim: “Belgian sources expect Nicolas Raskin to be playing in one of Europe’s top-five leagues next season, TEAMtalk understands, with the national team regarding the Rangers midfielder as a key figure for the country in the years ahead.
“Those close to the Belgian picture now believe the Premier League remains his most likely destination, and that it will come sooner rather than later. Aston Villa are understood to remain big admirers of Raskin and are tracking his situation, so they are a club to watch closely as the race for his signature develops.”
Raskin - who is out of contract at Rangers in 2028 - has made no secret that he’d like to play in one of the top five leagues one day. His rise on the international stage has made him even more susceptible to transfer interest in recent years, having secured 21 Belgium caps in a star-studded squad.
Midfielder was close to leaving Ibrox in the summer.placeholder image
Midfielder was close to leaving Ibrox in the summer. | Getty Images
What was Raskin’s reaction to summer transfer interest?
Currently on international duty with the Red Devils, Raskin was asked what his personal reaction was to the Besiktas move falling through at the death. To which he responded: "It was a bit of a disappointment, because I was mentally ready to leave. But that is football and it is not a big deal. There are many parameters and off-field matters you have to take into account during a transfer.
“Ultimately, I am not in a position where I necessarily have to leave. Rangers is a good club, I am playing my matches, we have a great squad this year and are doing great things. If you ask me if I wanted to take a step forward and keep moving forward, I say yes.”