Rangers are braced for a late shake-up to their midfield, with Besiktas having reached a verbal agreement to sign Nicolas Raskin, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Turkish window stays open until Friday, and that loophole may now reshape Derek McInnes’ plans just as the new Scottish Premiership season begins to bite. Rangers have taken only four points from their first three league games, already chasing Celtic in a title race that rarely forgives early stumbles.
They have until 5pm on Thursday to strengthen. At the same time, they are trying to hold on to key assets while leagues across Europe shut down their business. Turkey is one of the few remaining markets still open – and it is there that Raskin’s future is being pulled.
Besiktas Deal in Place – Now It’s Up to Raskin
Romano reported on X on Wednesday morning that Rangers and Besiktas have an agreement in principle for the Belgium international. The structure is there, the clubs aligned. What happens next rests almost entirely with the player.
Raskin must now decide if Istanbul is the right move at this stage of his career. Talks are ongoing, with all sides pushing to bring clarity quickly, one way or the other. With days, not weeks, left in Turkey’s window, hesitation is a luxury nobody really has.
For Rangers, the timing is awkward but not unexpected. Pressure has been building around Raskin’s future all summer. For Raskin, it feels like a crossroads that has been coming for months.
A Big Contributor, Now on the Outside
Raskin arrived at Ibrox in the January 2023 window and quickly carved out a place in the side, delivering big performances and winning over supporters who crave energy and edge in midfield. Last season he racked up 50 appearances in all competitions, a central figure in the Light Blues’ engine room.
Now he finds himself on the fringes. The 25-year-old has been left out of the squad for two of Rangers’ three league games this season, a clear sign of the uncertainty swirling around him. When a player of that stature suddenly disappears from matchday plans, the writing usually sits in plain sight.
The expectation had been that Raskin would move on this summer after shining for Belgium at the World Cup. That showcase seemed tailor-made to spark a bidding war. It never materialised. The window closed across most of Europe without a serious move landing on Rangers’ desk.
So the story rolled on. Raskin trained. He waited. Rangers waited. Now Besiktas have stepped in, late but serious, and the decision can no longer be kicked down the road.
McInnes’ Dilemma
Throughout the speculation, McInnes has gone out of his way to praise Raskin’s attitude.
“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, underlining that professionalism behind the scenes has never been in doubt.
McInnes also acknowledged the constant noise and conversations with “prospective buyers”, while making it clear the club would only act once an offer worthy of consideration arrived. That moment now appears to have come.
His message has been consistent: if the window shuts and Raskin is still a Rangers player, he expects the same “brilliant service” the midfielder has already given. That is not just flattery; it is a reminder that Rangers are losing a good player if they sanction this deal.
But the squad has already begun to evolve. Three central midfielders – Cammy Devlin, Dan Neil and Vanja Dragojevic – have come through the door this summer. On paper, that softens the blow. In reality, replacing Raskin’s blend of bite, mobility and experience is not straightforward, no matter how many signings arrive.
So McInnes and the Rangers board face a sharp decision. If Raskin goes, do they move again in the market with hours left, or trust that the business already done is enough to carry them through a season in which they are already chasing?
Time to Move On?
For all that Raskin has given Rangers, it feels like both club and player are edging towards the same conclusion. He wants the next step. Rangers, conscious of contract cycles and squad balance, are open to it at the right price.
Whether Besiktas is the right stage for that next chapter will be decided quickly. The Turkish giants offer a big city, a fervent fanbase and European ambitions. Rangers offer familiarity, status and the promise of a title race that still matters deeply.
The agreement between the clubs is there. The window is closing. Now it comes down to what Nicolas Raskin wants his career to look like when the dust settles on this frantic week.
