There’s a bit of chatter doing the rounds and a friend of a mate has fed some detail into it — take it as what it is, but it’s worth unpacking. The gist is that Rennes reportedly met Rangers’ valuation for Raskin before the World Cup, that the club agreed to wait until after the tournament, and that the player has since said he wouldn’t be keen on a move to France.

Let’s be clear up front: this is second‑hand information and should be treated cautiously. Still, the timeline makes sense in a general way. Clubs often table offers and ask to complete business after big tournaments, hoping values rise. If Raskin did well at the World Cup, you can see why Rangers would expect more serious interest — a chance to cash in, protect the club financially and avoid losing a player on a free later down the line.

What to make of the player reportedly not wanting France? Players have preferences — language, style, family, whatever — and they matter. If Raskin has said he doesn’t fancy a move to France, that scuppers Rennes specifically and narrows options. It also explains why he’s been available for selection recently: without a deal to push through, the club just gets on with the season.

From Rangers’ point of view the situation is straightforward. There’s value to be had after a good World Cup showing, especially if a contract situation means the club needs to monetise sooner rather than later. Derek’s public comments about selling for the right price — mentioned in the original post — are the pragmatic line you expect from any manager balancing squad needs and club finances.

So where does that leave us? If the Rennes angle is dead because of the player’s preference, Rangers will either wait for a different buyer who meets the valuation or keep Raskin for the season and reassess later. Nothing dramatic — just the kind of transfer window manoeuvring we see every summer. To be fair, the coming days should bring a clearer picture once the friend gets back and, perhaps, if other clubs show serious interest.

WATP — but take the details with a pinch of salt until verified.

Written by WATP891: 17 August 2026

Tags: transfers tactics