Nicolas Raskin‘s proposed move to Besiktas has become one of Rangers’ messiest transfer stories of the summer.
The Belgian midfielder appeared to have a potential destination in Turkey after interest from elsewhere failed to produce a deal before several major European windows closed.
Yet every apparent breakthrough has been followed by another obstacle, leaving Derek McInnes waiting for clarity over an important member of his squad.
Rangers have hardly been advertising a bargain, as the club reportedly wanted £25 million last summer, although an offer of around £20 million could now tempt them.
|
Raskin – 25/26 Premiership Stats |
|
|---|---|
|
Stat (*per game) |
Record |
|
Games (starts) |
33 (31) |
|
Goals |
6 |
|
Big chances missed |
6 |
|
Assists |
7 |
|
Big chances created |
12 |
|
Key passes* |
1.4 |
|
Pass accuracy* |
86% |
|
Succ. dribbles* |
0.8 |
|
Tackles & interceptions* |
3.1 |
|
Ball lost* |
12.2 |
Raskin’s contract runs until 2028, giving the Ibrox hierarchy protection against pressure to sell cheaply.
The situation accelerated on Wednesday when Besiktas secured Rangers’ green-light to sell him, subject to the player’s approval.
That did not mean a transfer was ready to happen.
Rangers subsequently rejected a loan proposal which included a sizeable fee but no obligation to buy. Assistant manager Alan Archibald then confirmed that the approach had been knocked back and that Raskin remained available for selection.
For Rangers, the distinction matters.
A temporary departure without a guaranteed sale would remove a useful player without securing the permanent transfer income needed to justify losing him.
Raskin then started Wednesday’s trip to Falkirk, where Lawrence Shankland scored twice to secure a 2-1 victory.
McInnes watched from the stand while serving a touchline ban. His team collected another three points, but the midfielder’s future remained a major talking point away from the pitch.
According to Turkish journalist Murat Ozen, the most unexpected development came after the match.
Turkish journalist shares ‘bizarre’ Rangers twist after Raskin U-turn
Writing on Wednesday night, Ozen claimed the club and player had effectively swapped positions during negotiations.
His account suggests Raskin had initially been willing to join Besiktas while Rangers resisted the proposed terms. By the time the game was over, the club were reportedly prepared to approve the offer.
Raskin, however, was no longer ready to make the move.
Ozen said the midfielder then rejected the opportunity, leaving Besiktas without the agreement they needed from the player.
“The story of the Raskin process is incredibly intriguing,” wrote Ozen, translated from Turkish.
“In the negotiations, Rangers initially refused, but Raskin was on board. He played in the match this evening. After the match, Rangers said yes to the offer, but this time, at the end of the game, Raskin announced he didn’t want to go.
“We had a bizarre night.”
His report did not explain what had prompted that apparent change of heart, and there is no basis for suggesting the Falkirk result itself persuaded him to stay.
Crucially, today’s reporting has added another complication.
Sky Sports has reported that Rangers have now rejected a further Besiktas bid, which means Ozen’s account should be treated with some skepticism.
For McInnes, retaining Raskin would remove one selection headache.
The manager has already shown he is willing to use him despite the uncertainty surrounding negotiations.
Scotland’s window closed at 5pm, while Turkish clubs can continue their business into Friday.
Any renewed approach would therefore require Rangers to weigh up more than the money, particularly once their own recruitment deadline has passed.
For now, Raskin remains at Ibrox, with no completed move and competing accounts of the talks.