As Arsenal prepare for their weekend clash against Fulham, transfer speculation continues to swirl around potential midfield reinforcements, with a compelling case emerging for targeting Rangers' Nicolas Raskin over reported target Silas Andersen.
The Case for Nicolas Raskin
While Hacken midfielder Silas Andersen has been linked with a move to the Emirates, a cross-border alternative could offer superior value. Arsenal's summer recruitment focused on smart, strategic signings rather than blockbuster deals, and this philosophy could extend to their pursuit of a new defensive midfielder.
The Gunners' system relies heavily on a number six who can both protect the defence and connect with the team's creative forces. Surprisingly, the answer may lie in the Belgian national team setup, where Nicolas Raskin has established himself as a key figure under manager Rudi Garcia, despite playing for a struggling Rangers side.
International Pedigree and Playing Style
Raskin's international manager has publicly praised the midfielder's capabilities, particularly highlighting his performance in the return leg against Ukraine. "Nico has shown that he's able to be aggressive, defensive, win duels, he's able to propose himself because he likes to come search the balls," Garcia noted.
The statistics from that match were particularly impressive, with Raskin completing almost 100 passes with over 90% accuracy while consistently playing forward - a significant contrast to players who maintain high completion rates through safer, backward passes.
Now 24, Raskin began his career at Standard Liege before joining Rangers in the winter transfer window of 2023. After overcoming injury setbacks that hampered his initial development, he has forcefully reclaimed his place both at club level and internationally, where he now partners Kevin de Bruyne in midfield.
Comparative Value in the Transfer Market
The transfer market context makes Raskin particularly appealing. With Chelsea having paid £53 million for Romeo Lavia, Raskin's emergence as a preferred option for Belgium ahead of such expensive talent underscores his quality and potential.
Garcia's comments about Lavia's fitness struggles further highlight Raskin's reliability: "For now he's injured a lot. He finally played two matches with Chelsea."
Raskin represents the type of combative midfielder who excels at ball-winning and enabling more creative teammates to flourish. While not a tempo-controlling playmaker, his skillset would complement Declan Rice perfectly in Arsenal's engine room.
With just 18 months remaining on his Rangers contract, the Belgian international could be available for a seven-figure fee - a potential bargain for a player of his international pedigree and Premier League-ready attributes. His performances in the Europa League and for Belgium suggest he's more than capable of making the step up to English football's top flight.
