Aston Villa and Rangers Set for Crucial Summer Rebuilds Amid Potential £20m Swap Deal
Aston Villa and Rangers, though separated by leagues and geography, are both heading into a pivotal summer transfer window that could define their upcoming campaigns.
Villa, enjoying a remarkable rise under Unai Emery, are aiming to build on a season that saw them reach the Champions League quarter-finals and come within touching distance of an FA Cup final. With a top-five Premier League finish still possible, the club is intent on elevating its squad to compete at an even higher level. Their winter loan acquisitions of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio served as a major statement of intent, and further bold moves are expected in the coming months.
On the other hand, Rangers face a much different scenario. After a disappointing campaign that saw rivals Celtic storm to the Scottish Premiership title, the Ibrox side is in need of major change. The 17-point deficit to Celtic has not only underlined their shortcomings but also allowed their rivals to equal their record of 55 top-flight titles. The upcoming window is critical, not just for rebuilding the squad, but also for appointing a permanent manager following Philippe Clement’s departure.
In light of both clubs’ ambitions, reports have suggested that Villa and Rangers could be ideal partners in a potential high-profile swap deal. While there is no official confirmation, Birmingham World has floated the idea of Villa making a move for Rangers’ standout midfielder Nico Raskin. In return, they could offer out-of-favour star Ross Barkley in a player-plus-cash proposal.
Although speculative, the proposed deal has logic. Raskin, a deep-lying playmaker valued at around £20 million, has become a key figure at Rangers since joining from Standard Liège for £1.3 million in 2023. The 24-year-old Belgian international has featured in 93 matches and has recently boosted his attacking output with one goal and three assists in his last three appearances.
Meanwhile, Barkley, who joined Villa from Luton Town for £5 million last summer, has struggled for consistent minutes, making only 868 appearances across all competitions this season. Despite that, the former England international has contributed four goals and two assists, averaging a goal contribution every 144 minutes — impressive considering his limited game time.
With Barkley’s current market value believed to be about a third of Raskin’s, Villa could table an opening bid in the region of £12 million plus Barkley to tempt Rangers. Given both players operate in similar roles, Rangers might view Barkley as a ready-made replacement while also gaining funds to reinvest.
While the idea remains speculative at this stage, it could prove to be a smart piece of business for both sides if pursued — giving Villa a dynamic young midfielder and Rangers a seasoned Premier League performer alongside a significant cash injection.
