Rangers Ace Nicolas Raskin ‘Wanted’ by UEFA Finalists to Replace Key Duo
Rangers midfield dynamo Nicolas Raskin is attracting serious interest from UEFA Conference League finalists Real Betis, who reportedly see him as a direct replacement for departing midfield stalwarts Johnny Cardoso and William Carvalho . This development comes after a standout season at Ibrox, with Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini targeting reinforcements to fill two significant gaps ahead of next season’s European campaign
📊Rising Stock at Ibr
At just 24, the Belgian international has cemented himself as a central figure under manager Russell Martin, whose future plans are increasingly built around Raskin’s energy, vision, and robust defensive work. The midfielder delivered a memorable performance in the Old Firm derby at Celtic Park in March—scoring the opener, creating an assist, and earning man of the match honours in a 3–2 win for Rangers . His consistent display across domestic and European action saw him rack up 11 league assists (joint-high across the Premiership), driving Rangers’ midfield dominance
Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia has also hailed Raskin’s combative midfield style, declaring his team’s need for players with defensive aggression—not just size. He compared him favourably with Amadou Onana in terms of mentality and matchup success
🔎Interest Intensifi
Real Betis have reportedly entered the race as Cardoso moved to Atlético Madrid and veteran Carvalho plans to exit, leaving Pellegrini’s side with two massive voids to fill in midfield . Meanwhile, Premier League clubs such as Aston Villa and Leeds United have also registered interest, viewing Raskin as a cost-effective midfield solution with proven qualities in both possession and pressing systems . Leeds reportedly admired him since his Standard Liège days, while Villa are prepared to launch an official approach as they monitor constraints under Financial Fair Play rules
🔒Rangers’ Response: Locking Down Their Jew
Aware of the mounting interest, Rangers have placed a hefty £25 million price-tag on their midfield talisman—an amount that would break the club’s transfer record if matched . Internal sources confirm that negotiations are underway over a new long-term deal aimed at securing his future and preserving his value, especially as his contract runs until 2027 . Martin is keen to tie Raskin into the club’s captaincy group to underline his central role in the rebuild
Rangers’ sporting director Kevin Thelwell, alongside the club’s recently arrived U.S. ownership, has been proactive in insisting Raskin remains the linchpin of midfield, signalling their intent by meeting growing wage demands amid ongoing transfer speculation
📜Implications & Outlo
Should Betis or any Premier League interest meet Rangers’ valuation, it could trigger a seismic shift both for the club and Raskin’s career trajectory. Real Betis, entering a period of transition, see him as the ideal successor to two influential midfielders, while others view him as a rising long-term asse
However, if Rangers succeed in extending his deal and embedding him further into the club’s leadership, they may buck their recent cashed-in trend. As Martin continues to shape his side ahead of Champions League qualifiers, retaining Raskin would send a strong message: Ibrox ambitions are built around homegrown growth, not just sale
For now, negotiations continue quietly. Raskin himself has stressed his enjoyment at Rangers and willingness to stay “as long as the club wants me,” though he adds the next managerial chapter could shape his fate.
