Rangers ‘initiate talks’ with Raskin upgrade

Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin’s future could lie away from Ibrox following revelations that the Glasgow giants have started contract talks with Pierre Ekwah.

Raskin’s performances this season have been widely criticised by fans, although the Belgium international has been a mainstay in the starting of manager Danny Rohl.

Rangers, meanwhile, are exploring the possibility of snapping up Ekwah, according to a report from the Daily Record.

The situation of Ekwah, 23, is complicated. He was officially transferred to Saint-Etienne for €6 million this summer following a loan deal from Sunderland but did not train for his new side after their relegation from Ligue 1. Officially, he was on sick leave.

In September, he claimed to have unilaterally terminated his contract with the French giants, leaving him reliant on the Diarra Ruling to leave the club under ‘just cause’, according to L’Equipe.

However, with no legal confirmation of his status as a free agent, he has found himself in limbo as the legal battle wages on in the background.

Three clubs have “initiated negotiations” with the player. Rangers are one of these sides along with Italian giants Udinese and a mystery bidder.

Until the legal position of the player, who has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €5.4m, is made clear, any deal is considered to be risky due to the unknown nature of compensation that Saint-Etienne may be due, as well as the potential for punishment against Ekwah himself.

Pierre Ekwah: The answer to Rangers’ midfield woes?

If Rangers were to get the go-ahead to sign Ekwah, they would be getting a physically powerful midfielder who could act as an upgrade to Raskin, who has been rumoured to have attracted attention from elsewhere, despite his disappointing form.

Ekwah is a tall central midfielder, well versed in British football, having turned out for Sunderland and West Ham academy in the past.

Data analytics firm SciSport rate him more highly than Raskin, whose level has taken a notable dip over the last 12 months.

Pierre Ekwah vs Nicolas Raskin: Career progression (SciSports)

Pierre Ekwah vs Nicolas Raskin: Playing Style (SciSports)

Its analysis states: “When both at peak age, Pierre Ekwah is expected to outreach the SciSkill level of Nicolas Raskin. The chances of this not happening are small.”

Ekwah is more defensively minded than the Belgium international, who has played notably less as a holding player this season than under Philippe Clement last term.

Crucially, Ekwah can also fill the deep-lying playmaker role that Raskin has often played this season, suggesting he could be used as a replacement for the 24-year-old should Rangers elect to sell.