Transfer-hungry Rangers have finally made their move for Standard Liege ace Nicolas Raskin.
But Ibrox chiefs have been told they’ll need to come up with an improved offer if they want to land the Belgium Under-21 midfielder this month. Record Sport understands the two clubs are “in dialogue” over a move that will see the highly-rated 21-year-old become Michael Beale’s second January signing.
Rangers have been long-term admirers of the Liege youngster, whose contract expires at the end of the season. Raskin has been dumped from Standard’s first team – managed by former Celtic boss Ronny Deila – following a bust-up over his refusal to discuss an extension to that deal. But Rangers now look set to offer a solution to that row after making an opening bid Belgian source claim is worth high six-figures. However, the Glasgow outfit will need to come up with a substantially better offer if they are to get their man before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
Liege are hoping to bank a £1.75m cheque when they sell Selim Amallah to Real Valladolid this week and believe they can attract a similar fee for Raskin. Claims that the talented midfielder had successfully undergone a medical ahead of agreeing a pre-contract were shot down by Ibrox insiders late last week.
But Michael Beale is a big fan of the former Gent playmaker and hopes to make him his second new recruit this week after landing Todd Cantwell from Norwich. Beale - who is also still on the chase for Swansea winger Morgan Whittaker - said last week when asked about the Belgian kid: “Another good player to be fair. A player I remember a lot from the time we played Standard Liege.
“He missed the first game against Rangers the night Kemar Roofe scored that amazing goal, but he played in the second leg and he's a player I'm aware of. Very good player that's obviously out of contract in the summer and is attracting a lot of attention. There is an interest from us but I am sure there is from a number of clubs. I like to compliment good players and he is certainly is one.”
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