Rangers and Besiktas Reach Agreement for Nicolas Raskin
Rangers and Besiktas have reached a verbal agreement over the sale of Nicolas Raskin, with the midfielder now weighing up a move to Istanbul, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Turkish window stays open until Friday, giving the Ibrox club a little extra time – and a little extra jeopardy – as they try to reshape Derek McInnes’ squad on the fly. Most of Europe has already shut up shop, but Rangers’ business is clearly not finished.
They have until 5pm on Thursday to strengthen a group already playing catch-up in the Scottish Premiership, with only four points taken from their first three matches. At the same time, they must brace for the possibility of losing one of their most valuable assets.
Raskin at the crossroads
Romano reported on X on Wednesday morning that Rangers and Besiktas have an agreement in principle for the Belgium international. The fee is not yet public; the key variable now is the player himself. Raskin must decide if Istanbul is the right stage for the next act of his career, with talks ongoing as all sides push for clarity.
It feels like a natural breaking point.
Raskin arrived in the 2023 January transfer window and quickly carved out a place in the hearts of the Ibrox support, delivering big performances in big moments. He went on to make 50 appearances in all competitions last season, a central figure in the Light Blues’ midfield.
This campaign tells a different story. The 25-year-old has been left out of the squad for two of Rangers’ three league games, his omission framed by growing uncertainty over his future. With pressure building and the clock ticking, the separation now looks less like a shock and more like an overdue decision.
The expectation around the club was that Raskin would move on this summer after shining at the World Cup with Belgium. Yet as the main European windows closed on Tuesday night, no major concrete offer had materialised. Besiktas have stepped into that gap, and the next few hours will decide whether they become his new home.
McInnes’ stance and Rangers’ dilemma
Throughout the speculation, McInnes has repeatedly highlighted Raskin’s professionalism.
“Nico's been first-class since he came back from the World Cup – he's been good as gold, he's trained brilliantly,” the Rangers manager said recently, acknowledging the noise around the player and the conversations with “prospective buyers”.
His message to the midfielder has been simple: until an offer lands that the club must seriously consider, train hard and stay ready. McInnes has also been clear that if the window shuts and Raskin is still a Rangers player, he expects the same “brilliant service” the Belgian has already given.
That scenario now hangs in the balance. If Besiktas complete the deal, Rangers and their manager face another key decision: replace him, or trust what they have?
The club have already been busy in that area of the pitch, bringing in three central midfielders this summer – Cammy Devlin, Dan Neil and Vanja Dragojevic. On paper, the numbers are there. On the pitch, the chemistry and quality still need to prove they can carry a title challenge against Celtic and the rest.
So Rangers stand at a familiar junction: chasing the leaders, juggling late-window exits, trying to build a side that can last the course. If Raskin chooses Istanbul, the question is simple and unforgiving – have they already signed his successor, or will they be scrambling again as the deadline hits?
