Long-term Rangers target Nicolas Raskin is seemingly available in January after being excluded from the first-team squad at Standard Liege, according to Dean Jones.
The central midfielder’s contract runs out this summer, and as he has not committed his future to the club, he has been excluded from the first team by manager Ronny Deila.
Rangers were previously linked with the Belgian, and could return for the 21-year-old now that he is set to leave.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jones claimed his exclusion from the team may have alerted Rangers to his availability and that they could return for Raskin.
“It’s interesting how he has been pushed to one side at the moment,” Jones stated.
“That certainly seems to have put him back in the shop window for Rangers.”
TIF thoughts on Raskin and Rangers…
The 21-year-old could be a smart pickup for Michael Beale as he looks to rebuild the squad, especially if the previous £5m price tag reportedly attached to him falls.
With Steven Davis out injured until the end of the season, an extra body in midfield would be desirable, and Raskin would arrive as a player in good form.
With a goal and four assists in 17 Jupiler Pro League appearances this season, he has been compared to Barry Ferguson in terms of playing style, and could add steel to the middle of the park.
The likes of Scott Arfield and Ryan Jack are ageing, and Rangers could be well-served in bringing younger talented players to the club – Raskin would fit this profile as a long-term signing.
Given his availability, the opportunity to secure a long-term target could be too good to turn down, and Beale may see this January window as an ideal time to prepare the squad for the coming seasons.