Rangers and Besiktas Reach Agreement for Nicolas Raskin Transfer

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, and that gives this story real oxygen. While most of Europe shut up shop on Tuesday night, Rangers remain vulnerable to late raids, even as they scramble to strengthen a squad already playing catch-up in the Scottish Premiership.

Four points from a possible nine is not the start Derek McInnes wanted. The 5pm deadline on Thursday looms large for incoming business. At the same time, one of his most technically gifted midfielders could be heading out the door.

Raskin on the brink

Romano reported on X on Wednesday morning that Rangers and Besiktas have an agreement in principle for the Belgium international. The clubs are aligned. Now the decision rests with the player.

If Raskin gives the green light, he swaps Glasgow for Istanbul. If he hesitates, Rangers must quickly work out how to reintegrate a player whose future has dominated the early weeks of their season. Talks are ongoing, with all sides trying to thrash out a definitive outcome.

It feels like the end of a chapter.

Raskin arrived at Ibrox in the January 2023 window and quickly built a bond with the Rangers support. He delivered big performances, big tackles, big moments. Last season he racked up 50 appearances in all competitions, a central figure in the Light Blues’ engine room.

This term tells a different story. The 25-year-old has been left out of the matchday squad for two of Rangers’ three league fixtures, his omission framed by the uncertainty over his future. The expectation around the club was that he would be sold this summer after impressing on the World Cup stage with Belgium, but the main European market passed without a concrete bid materialising.

The door stayed shut. Until Turkey knocked.

McInnes’ balancing act

Amid the noise, McInnes has gone out of his way to praise 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.

He acknowledged the swirl of interest and conversations with “prospective buyers”, but stressed the midfielder’s attitude has not dipped.

“Until an offer comes in that the club need to consider, Nico just has to knuckle down and train,” McInnes added. “I've no doubts that, if the window closes and Nico's still a Rangers player, he'll give brilliant service as he's done previously. He's getting interest because he's a good player. I want to work with good players. We just need to wait and see how things develop.”

That offer has now effectively arrived in the form of a verbal agreement with Besiktas. The club have a decision. So does the player.

If Raskin goes, Rangers must decide whether to react or stand pat. Three central midfielders have already come through the door this summer: Cammy Devlin, Dan Neil and Vanja Dragojevic. On paper, the numbers are there. On the pitch, replacing Raskin’s blend of bite and progression is another matter.

Do Rangers trust the new arrivals to absorb his minutes and responsibility? Or, with Celtic to chase and points already dropped, do they gamble on one more midfield signing in the final hours?

The clock is ticking on two fronts – one in Glasgow, one in Istanbul.