Incomprehensible Rangers transfer decision: 'Best player' is 'wasting his time'

8 Sept 2026 16:03 BST | 4 min read

Tom Weber | Writer

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Former Belgium international Philippe Albert is baffled by the fact that Nicolas Raskin is still at Rangers.

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The 25-year-old has been one of the Gers' standout players in recent years, and he has had plenty of transfer interest over the past 12 months. However, Raskin now looks set to remain at Ibrox for another year.

Last week, it was claimed that Rangers had reached an agreement with Besiktas over a last-minute transfer, but that turned out to be false. Indeed, despite being courted by clubs from around Europe's top divisions, including the Premier League, no one has as yet managed to prise him away.

Current ETV

Nicolas Raskin

DM, M (C)

Rangers

Nicolas Raskin

DM, M (C)

Rangers

ETV Range

€7.9M - €10.6M

Raskin impressed for Belgium at the World Cup, confirming that he is capable of performing at the highest level. It is therefore somewhat surprising that none of his suitors made a strong enough offer to convince Rangers to cash in this summer.

Their loss is the Ibrox club's gain, however, with the Belgian set to play a key role under Derek McInnes this season. The midfielder has started five of the six games he has featured in so far this term.

Albert: Raskin should leave Rangers

Another impressive season in Glasgow will surely make a transfer inevitable, as Raskin will have just a year left on his contract next summer. According to his compatriot Philippe Albert, a move away from Rangers can't come soon enough for the 25-year-old.

Speaking to La Capitale, the former Newcastle star admitted that he "can't understand" how Raskin hasn't moved to the Premier League or any other elite division in Europe yet. "He has proven in recent years that he is a class above, that he is the best player at Rangers," he said.

"I have respect for the Scottish league, but a player like Raskin is wasting his time there. The fact that he hasn’t been transferred? I don’t understand why no Premier League club has made an offer."

Albert insinuates that Raskin should be disappointed about his lack of a high-profile transfer, but he believes that it won't affect the midfielder's performances this season.

"He knows how to recover, as he showed at Standard [Liege], and he always delivers on the pitch", the 59-year-old explained. "I have no worries about him. If he wants to keep his place with the [Belgian] Red Devils, he will have to play and accumulate match fitness."

Where should Raskin go?

According to analytics firm SciSports, Albert is right to suggest that Raskin's next destination should be the Premier League. Using the data experts' Career Advice tool, we can see that the Belgian's two best options are in England.

Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United clock in with a good Club Fit rating of 83 and 81 out of 100, respectively. This score is calculated by analysing various factors such as prospective game time, development opportunities and tactical suitability.

Real Sociedad, Fiorentina, Lazio and Porto would also be good options for Raskin. A more left-field shout are Mexican giants Tigres, whose playing style is believed to suit the 25-year-old down to a tee.