NafisaRangers supporters could be facing an uncomfortable January transfer window, with fresh reports suggesting Nicolas Raskin is now expected to leave Ibrox in a multi-million-pound move to Turkey.
The Belgian midfielder has become an important figure under Derek McInnes, making the prospect of losing him halfway through the season a potentially significant setback for the Glasgow giants.
Raskin was linked with Besiktas during the summer, but a deal failed to materialise after Rangers were reportedly left dissatisfied with the offers they received.
Now, however, a new report from Turkey claims the situation has changed, with the two clubs allegedly moving closer to an agreement ahead of the winter transfer window.
The reported figures will attract plenty of attention, but the bigger question for Rangers is whether McInnes can afford to lose one of his most influential midfielders while the club continues to compete for domestic honours.
Besiktas move reportedly edging closer
According to a report published by Sporx on October 23, Besiktas are closing in on an agreement with Rangers to sign Raskin when the January transfer window opens.
The reported transfer fee stands at around £14.2 million, with performance-related bonuses also expected to form part of the proposed deal. The report further claims that Raskin has agreed to an annual salary package worth approximately £4.1 million with the Turkish club.
If those figures prove accurate, the move would represent a substantial transaction for Rangers, who must weigh the financial benefits against the sporting consequences of losing a key player midway through the campaign.
However, the claims remain unconfirmed, and reports from Turkey should be treated cautiously until there is reliable confirmation from the clubs or other authoritative sources.
Raskin, 25, attracted interest from Besiktas during the previous transfer window, but the proposed move did not happen. The latest reports suggest the Turkish side have continued pursuing the Belgium international and could now be closer to securing his signature.
For Rangers, the timing would be particularly awkward. McInnes has worked to improve the team’s performances after a difficult start to the season, and Raskin has become an important part of that progress.
Raskin’s future raises fresh questions at Ibrox
The midfielder’s contract situation could also influence Rangers’ thinking.
Raskin’s current deal is reported to enter its final year next summer, potentially placing the club in a position where it must decide whether to sell, negotiate an extension or risk facing greater uncertainty over his long-term future.
The Belgian has previously been linked with a departure, but his importance to the team has made the situation more complicated.
McInnes has benefited from Raskin’s performances in recent weeks, with the midfielder forming an effective partnership with Dan Neil. Their combination has helped provide Rangers with greater balance in the middle of the pitch, making Raskin’s potential departure a difficult sporting decision.
The manager would not necessarily oppose keeping the Belgian beyond this season, but the club’s position on a new contract could ultimately determine what happens next.
Raskin has also faced questions about his future, with the midfielder indicating that any possibility of extending his contract would be a matter for Rangers to address.
That leaves the club facing an important decision: retain a player who has become central to McInnes’ plans, or consider a significant offer while there is still an opportunity to secure a substantial transfer fee.
Can McInnes afford to lose his midfield partnership?
The potential impact on the pitch could be just as important as the financial figures.
Raskin has established himself alongside Dan Neil, and disrupting that partnership in January could force McInnes to rethink his midfield structure at a crucial stage of the campaign.
Vanja Dragojevic, who joined from Partizan, has shown potential but remains a developing player. Meanwhile, Tochi Chukwuani has struggled to establish himself under McInnes, meaning Rangers may not have an obvious like-for-like replacement ready to step into Raskin’s role.
Selling the Belgian could therefore create another recruitment priority for the club, particularly if Rangers want to maintain their competitiveness across the remainder of the season.
The manager would need to consider whether the money generated by a potential transfer could be reinvested quickly enough to strengthen the squad without weakening the team in the short term.
A January sale would also leave Rangers with limited time to identify and integrate a replacement. That could prove especially challenging if the club intends to continue competing for domestic silverware rather than allow the season to lose momentum.
Rangers supporters await clarity
For now, the proposed Besiktas transfer remains a reported possibility rather than a confirmed agreement.
The £14.2 million fee, additional bonuses and alleged £4.1 million annual salary package have emerged through reports in Turkey, but Rangers have not been confirmed as having finalised the deal.
Nevertheless, Raskin’s contract situation and his growing importance under McInnes mean the coming months could prove decisive.
If Besiktas do return with an offer that satisfies Rangers, the club will have to decide whether the financial opportunity outweighs the danger of losing a key midfielder during the season.
For McInnes, the priority will be ensuring that uncertainty over Raskin’s future does not disrupt the team’s progress. For supporters, the immediate concern is whether one of Rangers’ most important midfielders could really be heading for the Ibrox exit before the campaign reaches its decisive stages.
Nafisa
