Aston Villa have not given up on Nicolas Raskin. The Belgium international continues to be monitored by the Midlands club, and the noises out of those close to the Rangers midfielder suggest the Premier League is very much on the cards — most likely when the January window swings open.

Rangers knocked back a £12 million bid from Hull City for Raskin this summer, a figure the Ibrox board decided fell short of their valuation. That rejection hardly dimmed interest from higher up the football pyramid, and Villa remain firmly in the picture as one of the clubs keeping a close eye on the 23-year-old's form in the Scottish Premiership.

Why Raskin Appeals to Villa

Raskin is a composed, combative central midfielder who has settled well since arriving in Glasgow. His reading of the game and ability to break up play without sacrificing composure in possession make him the kind of profile Villa's recruitment team tend to prize. With Unai Emery building a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts, the appetite for proven European-calibre midfielders at Villa Park has not eased.

The market will be watching. Hull's willingness to spend £12 million on a Championship budget tells its own story about how Raskin is regarded outside Scotland. Villa, operating at Premier League level and in European competition, would presumably be in a position to go considerably higher if they decide to make a formal move in January.

Elsewhere in the Scottish Gossip

Meanwhile, Celtic manager Martin O'Neill is set to revert to a back four when his side take on Motherwell, having used a back three specifically to try to match Rangers' shape in the most recent Old Firm derby. The tactical tweak was very much a one-game measure rather than a permanent shift, according to reports.

At Hearts, a pair of 18-year-old summer arrivals — forward Aron Benjaminsen, formerly of Vikingur Gota, and midfielder Leart Kabashi, who came in from Grasshopper Zurich — are expected to push for competitive minutes once the international break concludes. The Edinburgh club also receive a defensive boost, with Malachi Fagan-Walcott and Oisin McEntee both fit to return for the weekend fixture against St Mirren.

Further north, Aberdeen defender Alex Briedl has credited manager Stephen Robinson's belief in him as a driving force behind the club's recent upturn in form, while Dundee head coach Steven Pressley is running the rule over a couple of trialists as he looks to shore up an injury-hit squad.

Off the pitch, the Scottish FA has brought in Graeme Mathie — previously sporting director at Hibernian and managing director at Ayr United — as its new head of football strategy, operations and performance.

For now, though, the Raskin story is the headline act. Whether Villa move in January or wait until the summer, it feels like a transfer that has genuine legs — and Rangers know they may face a harder ask keeping him in Govan beyond this season.

Frequently asked

Who is Nicolas Raskin and what club does he play for?
Nicolas Raskin is a Belgian central midfielder currently playing for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership. He has attracted interest from Premier League clubs, with Aston Villa among those keeping tabs on him.
How much did Hull City bid for Raskin?
Hull City had a £12 million bid rejected by Rangers for Raskin during the summer transfer window. Rangers deemed the offer insufficient.
When could Aston Villa make a move for Raskin?
Those close to Raskin believe the Premier League is his likely next destination, with January the most realistic opportunity for a move if a club such as Aston Villa submit a formal offer.