Leeds United Join Race For Player With Premier League Pedigree

Leeds United have been linked with a summer move for Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin as the club prepares for life back in the Premier League.

The 24-year-old Belgian has established himself as a key player at Ibrox since joining from Standard Liège in January 2023. With close to 100 appearances for Rangers, Raskin has become a mainstay in midfield, contributing three goals and eight assists this season alone. His performances in domestic competition and in Europe—where Rangers reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League—have not gone unnoticed.

TEAMtalk reports that both Leeds and Aston Villa are interested in Raskin, with the newly promoted Whites aiming to strengthen their midfield ranks. While Villa are well-stocked in that area, Daniel Farke is expected to be more aggressive in the market as he builds a side capable of staying in the top flight.

Raskin’s Current Contract

Raskin’s current contract runs until 2027, meaning Rangers are under no immediate pressure to sell. However, the opportunity to move to the Premier League could appeal to the former Belgium under-21 international, who previously played under ex-Villa assistant Michael Beale in Scotland.

His rise has not just been internal. Interim Rangers boss Barry Ferguson praised Raskin’s maturity and potential earlier this season.

“Nico Raskin has potential to play at the highest level. His best years are still in front of him. He has been top class for me but he needs to make sure he continues that and continues to produce performances,” Ferguson said.

Leeds are expected to target young, technically sound players this summer—those capable of adapting to the Premier League quickly and with resale value. Raskin fits that profile. His experience in high-pressure environments and European competition adds further appeal.

Though Villa remain in the mix, their midfield already boasts Amadou Onana, Youri Tielemans, Jacob Ramsey, Boubacar Kamara, and John McGinn. Leeds, in contrast, are undergoing a significant squad rebuild and can offer a clearer path to regular first-team football.

Writer’s View

This could be a smart piece of business by Leeds United if they can land Nicolas Raskin. His dynamism, composure on the ball and leadership qualities would provide a significant boost to a midfield that will need to cope with the demands of top-flight football.

The Elland Road side must move quickly, however, with Aston Villa’s interest making this a competitive chase. Raskin’s style appears well suited to Daniel Farke’s system, and he could be one of the key foundations for Premier League stability.

Gary Hutchinson is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Real EFL, which he launched in 2018 to offer dedicated coverage of the English Football League. A writer for over 20 years, Gary has contributed to Sky Sports and the Lincolnshire Echo, while also authoring Suited and Booted. He also runs The Stacey West and possesses a background in iGaming content strategy and English football betting. Passionate about football journalism, Gary continues to develop The Real EFL into a key authority in the EFL space.

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