Atalanta are actively keeping the transfer route open with Rangers for midfielder Nicolas Raskin, but the Serie A club are already establishing emergency plans as Ibrox chiefs refuse to change their stance.
According to Italian regional daily Il Giorno, Atalanta are working hard to maintain the open negotiation pipeline established with Glasgow earlier this summer.
However, with Rangers setting incredibly high operational boundaries, Maurizio Sarri’s side have officially lined up AC Milan midfielder Ardon Jashari as a concrete fallback option should the Scottish giants refuse to compromise.
The Italian outfit are currently executing a comprehensive overhaul of their engine room amid the multi-million-pound sale of Brazilian star Ederson to Manchester United.
While Raskin remains a top target, Rangers’ stubborn posture is forcing the Italians to prepare a contingency plan closer to home.
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Rangers draw a firm £21.4m line
The hierarchy in Glasgow holds immense leverage in these ongoing discussions. Raskin is locked down on a contract at Ibrox until 2028, meaning the board faces zero pressure to accept a cut-price introductory bid.
Furthermore, the 25-year-old’s stock has drastically expanded on the global stage.
Raskin has been a standout performer for Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, most recently putting in a game-changing second-half performance off the bench to inspire a 3-2 comeback victory over Senegal in the round of 32.
While initial whispers out of Italy suggested a baseline fee of around £17million might get the wheels turning, Rangers have seemingly pushed the boundaries significantly higher.
The Scottish Premiership heavyweights are demanding a minimum package of £21.4m (€25m).
It is a strict financial boundary that Atalanta are currently hesitant to clear, prompting their recruitment team to expand their contingency plans.
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Ardon Jashari alternative at AC Milan
Should Rangers refuse to yield on their £21.4m premium, Il Giorno notes that the route to San Siro remains a viable backup pipeline for Sarri.
AC Milan’s Jashari has been identified as the premier alternative profile. The Switzerland international is currently with his national team at the World Cup, following a mixed debut season in Italy, where he struggled to command a permanent starting shirt.
Milan are reportedly willing to talk terms on a potential separation to fund their own summer incoming activity, offering Atalanta a much less complicated transaction than attempting to break down Rangers’ defensive posture.
While the ‘route remains open’ between Rangers and Atalanta following the seamless loan arrangement for defender Ben Godfrey earlier this summer, the ball remains strictly in the Italians’ court.
If they want Sarri’s premier choice, they must return with the cash required to cross the Ibrox boundary line.
