Besiktas table desperate new late bid for Rangers star Nicolas Raskin, next steps clear

Rangers have now received a permanent offer from Besiktas for midfielder Nicolas Raskin.

The Gers rejected an initial loan offer from the Turkish Lig side for the Belgium international on Wednesday.

Rangers have until 5pm on Thursday to conduct business, while teams in Turkey have slightly longer as the window there shuts at midnight.

Andrew Cavenagh was not happy with Besiktas' bid for Raskin, which contained an option to buy for £10.3million.

The Super Lig team have now returned with a straight offer for a permanent move, with the next steps being outlined.

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What is now set to happen with Nicolas Raskin?

Raskin looked destined to leave Ibrox this summer, especially early on when bids were reportedly being lodged.

However, the right amount has never been made and he remains a Rangers player for now.

And given the latest regarding Besiktas, that is now unlikely to change.

Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna reported via X late on Wednesday that Besiktas have now tabled an upfront bid of £10.3m to Rangers.

That is the same as they previously offered, the difference being there is now no loan.

Quite how the Turkish side believe that will shift Rangers' stance is a mystery.

Aouna adds that negotiations were ongoing at the time, but Besiktas only had until the end of Wednesday to register new players with UEFA for European competition.

In terms of the next steps, it now appears Besiktas - assuming Rangers rightly knocked back that latest offer - will give up.

What has Derek McInnes said about Raskin?

Derek McInnes was inevitably asked about Raskin's future after the 25-year-old started the win at Falkirk on Wednesday evening.

And the Gers boss confirmed he now expects Raskin to remain at Rangers until at least January.

"I think he will [stay]," McInnes told reporter. "Obviously Nico's had an opportunity to go today.

"It wasn’t something he wanted or the club, I believe, entertained. It was hardly the ideal preparation.

"I've been keen to utilise Nico, but there’s been a lot going on for him. He's been training with us every day, and I do think at times the team needs a bit more experience."

With Raskin surely staying, Rangers fans will now have their fingers crossed for one or two new arrivals before the window closes.