🚫 𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗞𝗜𝗡 𝗦𝗔𝗬𝗦 𝗡𝗢! 🇧🇪 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗦𝗻𝘂𝗯𝘀 𝗕𝗲ş𝗶𝗸𝘁𝗮ş 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝘀𝘂𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳 ‘𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝟱’ 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺! 🔵🏟️
By 247sportcity | Tuesday, January 20, 2026
GLASGOW – The transfer window is often a game of poker, but for Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin, the cards are firmly on the table. Despite the persistent, almost obsessive, advances of Turkish giants Beşiktaş, the 24-year-old Belgian international has reportedly issued a definitive “no” to a move to Istanbul this month.
According to fresh reports from Turkish outlet Fotospor, Beşiktaş have seen their latest approach for the combative midfielder rebuffed. For Rangers fans, the news is a double-edged sword: their midfield engine is staying for the title run-in, but the rejection signals a clear intent that his long-term future lies away from Ibrox—and specifically, in one of Europe’s elite “Big Five” leagues.
The Istanbul Obsession: Why Beşiktaş Won’t Give Up
To understand the significance of this rejection, one must look at the desperation in Istanbul. Beşiktaş manager Sergen Yalçın has been hunting for a specific profile of midfielder ever since the departure of Gedson Fernandes last summer. The Portuguese star left a void of energy and aggression that the “Black Eagles” have failed to fill.
Raskin, with his relentless pressing engine and ability to carry the ball through transition, was identified as the perfect heir. Beşiktaş first made their move in the summer of 2025, only to be turned down. Undeterred, they returned this January, hoping that Rangers might be tempted to cash in or that Raskin might be swayed by a lucrative wage packet.
However, the Turkish club miscalculated the player’s motivation. While Beşiktaş offers European football and a passionate fanbase, Raskin views the Süper Lig as a sideways step, rather than the vertical leap he craves.
The ‘Top 5’ Ambition: Chasing the Belgian Dream
At 24, Raskin is at a career crossroads. Last year was a breakthrough on the international stage, with the midfielder making his debut for the Belgium national team and going on to earn nine caps. He is no longer just a promising talent; he is a full international for one of the world’s top nations.
Sources close to the player suggest that his rejection of Beşiktaş is driven by a desire to cement his place in the Red Devils squad ahead of future tournaments. Raskin believes that to become a guaranteed starter for Belgium, he must be testing himself weekly in the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, or Ligue 1.
“The Turkish league is competitive, but it isn’t the showcase Raskin needs right now,” a source told Gemini Sports. “He knows that scouts from Germany and England are watching his performances at Ibrox. Moving to Turkey risks taking him off that radar.”
[Table: The Renaissance Under Danny Röhl]
| Metric | Under Russell Martin (2024/25) | Under Danny Röhl (2025/26) |
| Status | Fringe / Unsettled | Undisputed Starter |
| Appearances | Inconsistent | 34 (All Comps) |
| Role | Defensive Anchor | Box-to-Box Aggressor |
| Key Attribute | Discipline Issues | Pressing Leader |
The Danny Röhl Effect: From Outcast to Indispensable
The fact that Rangers can even rely on Raskin this season is a testament to the management of Danny Röhl. Just 12 months ago, Raskin’s career in Glasgow seemed dead in the water. Friction with former manager Russell Martin had led to public speculation about his attitude and a widely expected exit.
However, Röhl’s arrival at Ibrox sparked a tactical revolution. The German coach’s high-pressing, high-intensity system is tailor-made for Raskin’s skillset. This season, Raskin has been nothing short of a machine, racking up 34 appearances and contributing 3 goals from midfield. He has been the heartbeat of a Rangers side looking to assert dominance domestically and in Europe.
This resurgence has only increased his value. Rangers know that losing Raskin in January—without a lined-up replacement—would be suicidal for their season ambitions.
The Contract Ticking Time Bomb
While Rangers will be relieved to keep Raskin for the remainder of the campaign, the boardroom reality is far more complex. Raskin’s contract expires in June 2027. This means that come the summer of 2026, he will have just 12 months remaining on his deal.
This puts Rangers in a precarious position known as the “distressed asset zone.”
- The Scenario: If Raskin continues to reject extensions (eyeing a free transfer or a cheap move), his transfer value will plummet.
- The Gamble: Do Rangers sell him this summer for a reduced fee to a mid-table Premier League or Bundesliga side? Or do they hold him for the final year and risk losing a £15m asset for nothing?
The rejection of Beşiktaş confirms that Raskin is willing to wait for the right move, not just any move. This patience puts the pressure firmly on the Rangers board to either convince him that his ambitions can be met in Glasgow (unlikely, given the league disparity) or to actively market him to clubs in Germany and France this summer.
Final Verdict: The Long Goodbye
Nicolas Raskin’s second rejection of Beşiktaş is a statement of intent. He is betting on himself. He is betting that his performances under Danny Röhl will be enough to court interest from the likes of Eintracht Frankfurt, Lyon, or a Crystal Palace-level Premier League side.
For now, the Ibrox faithful can enjoy the services of a midfielder playing at the peak of his powers. But make no mistake: this is the beginning of the end. Raskin is playing for his ticket to the big leagues, and while Istanbul wasn’t the destination, the departure lounge is already in sight.