Nico Raskin Transfer: Rangers Turn to Turkey & Saudi Arabia After Deadline Day Stalemate
Nicolas Raskin is still a Rangers player – and that was never supposed to happen.
The Belgian midfielder was left out of Rangers' squad for three straight games as speculation mounted, with Derek McInnes confirming "plenty of interest" and revealing Raskin had been "left back in Glasgow" rather than travelling for the Conference League defeat to Jablonec.
But when the deadline passed on 1 September, no formal bid arrived. Rangers' £25m valuation – up from the £20m being quoted in June – appears to have cooled the interest that had built throughout the summer.
The English and Scottish windows are now closed, with most of Europe following suit. However, several markets remain open, meaning Raskin's future is still far from settled.
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Why Rangers Are Still Waiting
McInnes has remained consistent throughout the saga, insisting no formal offer has landed and making it clear he is more than happy to keep working with a player he describes as "first class".
Speaking ahead of the deadline, McInnes said there had been plenty of interest and conversations with potential buyers, but until a formal offer arrives, Raskin simply has to focus on training.
He added that Raskin had been "brilliant" and would continue to give Rangers excellent service if he remains at the club.
With the biggest markets now closed and no bid on the table, staying at Rangers looks the most likely outcome by some distance, although there are still other possibilities.
Turkey Is The Live Option
Turkey is the market that has kept the Raskin story alive, with Fenerbahce reportedly making contact in late August and Besiktas also linked with a deal worth around £20 million as talks gathered pace before the European deadline.
Crucially, the Turkish Super Lig’s summer registration window remains open until 4 September, giving both Istanbul clubs a few extra days to get a deal over the line.
If either is prepared to meet Rangers’ valuation, Turkey looks the most realistic destination, with the strongest concrete interest reported so far.
Saudi Arabia: The Longer Runway
If a Turkish club doesn’t get a deal over the line, Saudi Arabia could be the most obvious fallback, with the Roshn Saudi League’s summer window remaining open until 12 October and giving clubs more than five extra weeks to negotiate.
There is no concrete indication of a specific Saudi club pursuing Raskin yet, and any move would likely require the midfielder’s approval given the significant change in lifestyle.
However, with Rangers open to a sale at the right price and Saudi clubs still looking to strengthen, it is a market worth keeping an eye on if nothing materialises in Turkey over the next 48 hours.
What's Left Beyond That
Beyond Turkey and Saudi Arabia, there are few realistic options for a permanent move, with most remaining leagues unlikely to meet a £25m valuation.
A loan with an option to buy could offer a compromise if interest remains, with that type of deal potentially possible before the relevant league’s deadline.
For now, though, Raskin remains at Ibrox, with the next 48 hours in Turkey likely to determine whether that is still the case once the window shuts.
