Rangers lead race for Lewis Ferguson alternative as Raskin exit looms

9 Jul 2026 15:15 BST | 6 min read

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

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Rangers are eyeing up an alternative to Lewis Ferguson as the Ibrox side targets a replacement for Belgium international Nicolas Raskin, who continues to be linked with a big-money move to the Premier League.

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Derek McInnes’ side are leading the race to sign Sturm Graz midfielder Ryan Fosso, a player who would act as a natural replacement for Raskin in the engine room of the Ibrox side.

The Glasgow giants are said to be “furthest along” for the Cameroon star, though competition comes from Serie A outfit Torino and La Liga side Levante, who have already moved to offer Fosso’s representatives an initial contract offer, Sky Sport Switzerland has revealed.

Current ETV

Ryan Fosso

DM, M (C)

Sturm Graz

Ryan Fosso

DM, M (C)

Sturm Graz

ETV Range

€1.3M - €1.9M

The 24-year-old only moved to Austria in January, when he completed a €900,000 move from Fortuna Sittard. His form since that deal has been such that bigger clubs have taken note, with Rangers among their number.

Ryan Fosso: Rangers target a modern midfielder who has everything

Fosso is described as a complete midfielder by transfer insider Sacha Tavolieri, who says that the competition to sign the player comes as little surprise given the impact that he has made over the course of the last six months.

“A modern midfielder, he combines excellent game reading, controlled aggression in duels, and a ball-winning ability that allows him to extinguish numerous dangerous situations. His work rate, tactical intelligence, and capacity to cover large areas make him a true asset to his team. His off-the-ball qualities, constant pressing, and positional awareness have also been regularly highlighted since his arrival in Graz,” he says.

“Beyond his defensive impact, Fosso also possesses remarkable technical skill. Capable of breaking through the first line of defence with his passing or dribbling, he plays with great precision under pressure and displays a rare maturity for a player of his age.”

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Rangers priced out of Ferguson move?

While Rangers have been linked with a move for Bologna’s Scotland international Lewis Ferguson, Fosso would provide a more cost-effective solution as a replacement for Nicolas Raskin, who has been linked with a £14 million (€16.4m) switch to Hull City.

Ferguson’s Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) sits at €17.2m, with the Serie A club believed to be targeting a transfer fee in the region of £17m (€20m) – a figure that would shatter the Gers’ record transfer fee.

With Rangers not expected to pay more than £15m (€17.5m) for the Scotland star, it appears they have turned their attention towards Fosso.

Tavolieri finishes with a word of warning for the Scottish Premiership side, though.

“Rangers have taken the lead, but Torino and Levante remain firmly in the running for a player whose stock continues to rise. This situation is still very fragile and could change rapidly. Anything could still happen,” he says.

If McInnes’ side are to get this deal over the line, it appears they will have to act decisively – and that likely means picking Fosso over Ferguson.