Leeds United have reportedly expressed interest in bringing Standard Liege midfielder Nicolas Raskin to Yorkshire, with his future in Belgium deeming cloudy.
According to the reports by La Derniere Heure, Leeds United are ‘watching’ the 21-year-old this summer, with the sources near to the player asserting that Nicolas ‘may depart in the next few weeks’ owing to his current contract dilemma. Talking about his contract situation, his ongoing one expires next summer and with him yet to put pen to an extension paper – Standard Liege are eager to preferably cash-in on him then loosing him for nothing in twelve-month’s time.
Despite interest from rival Pro League clubs Genk and Club Brugge, the source states that the 5 foot 10 playmaker’s chances of staying in his hometown are rather ‘slim,’ with the player – who is expected to cost roughly €5 million (£4.3 million) – reportedly preferring a transfer overseas.
The situations and stories as of now suggests that the Peacocks have been given the go-ahead to make a move this summer.
The rumours for Raskin comes following the reports suggesting Leeds United are closing in to finalising a deal with Bayern Munich for midfielder Marc Roca, who would become the club’s third acquisition of the summer after Red Bull Salzburg duo Rasmus Kristensen and Brenden Aaronson.
Manager Jesse Marsch appears to be planning a midfield renovation this summer, with the Yorkshire club potentially poised to establish a dynamic Roca-Raskin pair in the centre of the pitch.
With Kalvin Phillips presumably on his way to Manchester City, new midfield acquisitions are critical this summer, especially given the club’s scarce resources due to injuries last season. While Roca may serve as the playmaking “quarter-back” at the base of the midfield, as former Bayern technical director Michael Reschke has defined him, Raskin can serve as the unrelenting “pitbull,” as journalist Bob Faesen has termed him to be.
The £4.5m-rated star had a solid season coming into the summer, scoring once and assisting four times in 29 league appearances – 28 of which were starts – with his most remarkable trait being his ball-winning abilities, averaging 2.6 tackles per game.
While the incoming Roca can operate as a deep-lying anchor, the £1.9k-per-week machine can give a stronger, combative presence front of him, having been labelled a “box-to-box midfielder” by Faesen. There may not be Premier League experience in that partnership, but there is no doubting talent, with Leeds appearing primed to gain from a slew of new faces in the engine room.
Author’s Verdict
Marc Roca and Nicolas Raskin could be the ideal replacements for Kalvin Phlipps given their age and talent. Jesse Marsch seems to be determined to freshen up his squad in the summer and push for a top half finish next season and the signing of Raskin would certainly help that cause. With plenty of journalists praising the midfielder, he could be an exciting addition to the current squad Leeds have and would certainly be a player to look out for next season.
