A UEFA Champions League club have turned their attention away from Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin after making a breakthrough in an alternative €8.5million (£7.3million) transfer pursuit.
Real Betis, who have secured a return to Europe’s elite competition for the upcoming season, had previously been credited with an interest in Raskin as they look to overhaul Manuel Pellegrini’s midfield options.
It emerged last week that Pellegrini has given his nod to sign the Belgium international, with Betis confident they can land him for a fee lower than Rangers’ asking price of £20m.
However, developments in Spain suggest the Seville-based club have officially snubbed a move for the Ibrox playmaker in favour of a primary target.
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Real Betis close in on £7.3m transfer alternative
According to the prominent Spanish newspaper ABC, Real Betis are on the verge of completing a deal to sign Uruguayan defensive midfielder Facundo Bernal from Fluminense.
The La Liga club have reached an agreement to sign Bernal for €8.5m (£7.3m), effectively locking down the exact position Raskin would have occupied.
Fluminense, meanwhile, will be entitled to a percentage of any future transfer fee for the 22-year-old.
Real Betis only have some final details to iron out with Bernal, who has been offered a long-term deal for up to four or five years.
After that, Pellegrini’s side have set their sights on advancing their interest in Dani Ceballos, with face-to-face talks already planned.
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What this means for Nicolas Raskin and Rangers
A move to a Champions League club in La Liga would have undoubtedly turned heads, meaning this snub would be a disappointment for Raskin.
However, the Rangers midfield dynamo is not short of options, with clubs in the Premier League and Serie A credited with an interest in acquiring him.
Hull City have learned that their proposal worth up to £14m is insufficient to take the 25-year-old to the MKM Stadium, but the Tigers may return with an improved bid.
Atalanta are also interested in signing the former Standard Liege man, and so are Bologna.
Therefore, there is no need for the Andrew Cavenagh-led club to think about lowering their £20m asking price for the midfielder yet.
