Nicolas Raskin could be set to depart Rangers during the January transfer window.
The Belgian had been tipped to assume an increasingly pivotal role at Ibrox this season, but he has experienced a notably turbulent campaign so far.
Raskin was sidelined by Russell Martin for several matches earlier in the season and has still featured from the start in only four of his team’s seven Premiership fixtures to date.
He was strongly linked with an exit from Govan during the summer window, and it now appears that could become a reality this winter.
Nicolas Raskin wants to leave Rangers for Besiktas:
Raskin has once again been associated with a move away from Rangers recently, and this time it is Turkish outfit Besiktas who are displaying genuine determination to secure the midfielder.
Their boss Sergen Yelcin has already granted his approval for the chase of the 24-year-old, and the wheels are now turning for a potential deal that could lure him away from the Gers.
Raskin’s representative is already “in contact” with the leadership at Besiktas, and their President Serdal Adali is expected to meet with a counterpart from Ibrox to “finalise the deal” in the coming days, according to Hurriyet.
The Turkish heavyweights are aiming to capitalise on the positive relationship they established with Rangers during the transfer of Ridvan Yilmaz as a means of strengthening their chances of landing Raskin.
They plan to use the “same channels” to try and broker an agreement this time, and for his part, Raskin is reported to be “keen” on a switch to Istanbul.
Gers’ new manager holds the key to Nicolas Raskin’s future:
Rangers are nearing the appointment of Kevin Muscat as their next manager, and if he is indeed the one to take charge, he will likely have a major influence over Raskin’s fate.
The midfielder has clearly been unsettled by his fallout with Martin, but that situation could perhaps be resolved if the new coach swiftly re-emphasises his significance to the squad.
Raskin had been linked with Premier League sides during the summer, so for him to now be tempted by a move to the Super Lig might reflect a strong urge to depart Ibrox rather than a specific ambition to join a particular competition.
That’s an issue that must be tackled promptly by whoever steps into the role, as the Gers will certainly not want to lose a vital player to a move that doesn’t represent a major step forward.