Rangers reject Besiktas loan offer for midfielder Nicolas Raskin

Rangers have turned down a loan approach from Turkish club Besiktas for Belgian midfielder Nicolas Raskin, according to Sky Sports News. The rejection comes despite reports from transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano suggesting the two clubs had reached a verbal agreement on a potential loan with a purchase option.

The sticking point is money. Rangers paid £1.5 million plus add-ons to sign Raskin from Standard Liege in January 2023. They value him somewhere between £10 million and £20 million. A loan, even one dressed up with an option to buy, apparently doesn’t meet that threshold.

A transfer saga that keeps returning

Besiktas previously tried to land the midfielder during the January 2026 window, but Raskin reportedly preferred a move to one of Europe’s top five leagues. That earlier rejection didn’t deter Besiktas. They came back with a loan proposal, and Romano indicated the clubs had found common ground on terms. The deal, however, hinged on Raskin actually wanting to go, which remains an open question.

Hull City reportedly had a bid of £16.5 million turned down, which gives a clearer picture of where the Ibrox club’s asking price sits. Raskin is contracted at Rangers until the summer of 2028.

Reading the squad sheet

Raskin’s absence from recent matchday squads is notable. Since arriving from Standard Liege, Raskin has made approximately 149 appearances for Rangers under manager Derek McInnes. His sudden omission is therefore conspicuous.

The 25-year-old is contracted until 2028, and Rangers have shown no inclination to let him leave on the cheap.

What happens next

Raskin’s preference for a top-five league move complicates things further. If he’s still holding out for England, France, or one of the other elite destinations, then Besiktas may struggle to get his agreement even if Rangers eventually soften their stance.

Rangers are betting that someone will meet their price. Whether that someone is Besiktas, a Premier League club, or a team from one of Europe’s other top leagues remains the only question that matters.

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