Nicolas Raskin: Rangers stance revealed as Turkish transfer deadline nears
Rangers have been handed a "huge boost" to their plans as Nicolas Raskin is set to stay at Ibrox, sources have told Football Insider.
Besiktas have been pushing to sign the 25-year-old in recent days, and despite the Scottish window having closed on Thursday, the Turkish window remains open.
However, it has become clear that neither Rangers nor Raskin have any intention of entertaining an exit at this late stage with plans now in place for the new season.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, Raskin was widely expected to leave Rangers but the club are happy with the outcome.
Rangers rejected a late offer from Besiktas which was believed to be worth around £10.3million ahead of the Scottish transfer deadline, while the player is content to stay.
He remains a key part of Derek McInnes' plans, as evidenced by his starring role in the win against Falkirk, and looks set to remain so at least until January.
Could Nicolas Raskin complete a move away from Rangers?
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that interest in Raskin would ramp up ahead of deadline day, with the club braced for offers.
However, none of the offers from Besiktas met their lofty demands, while the midfielder was ultimately content to remain at Ibrox and continue playing at a high level.
Despite a frustrating start to the season, keeping hold of a key player will come as a huge boost to McInnes, with the boss now working to put together a strong run of form.
Speaking on the Transfer Inisder podcast, I explained: "Many people expected Raskin to leave before now, but Besiktas had a bid rejected for Raskin on deadline day.
"He was obviously in the team for Rangers against Falkirk in midweek as well, and was even given the captain's armband in the closing stages of that game.
"That shows he's still a key man for Rangers, and there's optimism that he will remain at Ibrox once the Scottish transfer window closes.
"Unless Besiktas come in with a huge offer between now and the end of the Turkish window, Rangers are planning for Raskin to be part of their side for the new season.
"That will come as a huge boost for Derek McInnes and everybody else at Rangers as well because he's such a key player for them."
How did Rangers block Raskin from leaving?
Raskin has attracted interest from a number of clubs across Europe following the World Cup, but Rangers remained clear on their asking price throughout the window.
Initial reports of a £20million asking price emerged at the start of the window, while at one stage they were demanding as much as £25million to see him leave.
Football Insider exclusively revealed ahead of the Scottish deadline on 2 September that Rangers had rejected a loan offer for Raskin, despite dropping their asking price.
Rangers wanted a fee higher than the £10million offer which ultimately arrived late in the window from Besiktas, and were happy to keep him as a result.
The midfielder remains under contact unitl 2028, and while they are expected to field interest in the January window, Raskin will remain at Ibrox for now.