Rangers face competition from La Liga giants Barcelona in the hunt for Standard Liege midfielder Nicolas Raskin, according to reports in Spain.
Mundo Deportivo are suggesting that the Spanish club are monitoring the situation with the Belgian U21 international, who is in the midst of a clash with Pro League side Standard.
Nicolas Raskin took to social media after the 21-year-old was banished to the Standard reserves with the two parties in the middle of a contract stand-off.
The midfielder will be free to sign a new contract elsewhere in the coming weeks with the situation leading many to believe Raskin could be sold in the upcoming window.
An initial post from the player sent European tabloids scrambling with plenty suggesting the player was for the off, with Raskin later releasing another post explaining that nothing was said and done.
But the situation appears to have caught wind at Barcelona, who are named alongside Ligue 1 Olympique Marseille and Premier League Leeds United as potential Nicolas Raskin suitors.
Barcelona reportedly join Rangers in Nicolas Raskin hunt
Whilst there is no mention of Rangers in the report, Belgian Pro League champions Club Brugge are mentioned as the frontrunners and have always been there or thereabouts in the previous links.
Rangers reportedly came close to signing Nicolas Raskin at the end of the summer transfer window amid strong interest from Ligue 1 OGC Nice in Glen Kamara.
Reports had suggested the French club had a £10m interest in the Ibrox midfielder but after any prospective deal fell through at the last minute and both players remained at their current clubs.
But heading into the January window, perhaps Rangers might regret not making any interest in Nicolas Raskin permanent in the summer with Barcelona certainly an interesting link.
It’s not every day Los Culés come knocking and we suspect if the reports are serious, a link up with legendary midfielder Xavi might be an offer the Belgian cannot refuse.
Meanwhile, there are major doubts surrounding a substantial investment into one currently underperforming Ibrox star.
