Rangers star agrees £4.1m deal to leave in January as major sale nears.

Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin is reportedly edging closer to a January departure from Ibrox, with Besiktas said to have reached an understanding over a potential deal for the Belgium international.

Raskin was heavily linked with a move to the Turkish Super Lig side during the summer transfer window. However, despite the interest from Besiktas, a late agreement could not be completed before the deadline. The latest reports now suggest that the two clubs have continued discussions and could be close to finalising a transfer when the January window opens.

According to reports, Besiktas are prepared to pay Rangers approximately £14.2million for Raskin. The proposed package could also contain additional performance-related bonuses, potentially increasing the overall value of the deal depending on the midfielder’s contribution after his move to Turkey.

The 25-year-old has remained an important figure at Rangers despite the uncertainty surrounding his long-term future. After returning from the World Cup, Raskin was believed to be keen to take the next step in his career. Rangers, however, were not convinced by the offers they received during the summer and ultimately decided against selling him.

His situation has since become more complicated because of his importance to Derek McInnes’ side. Raskin has played a significant role during Rangers’ recent improvement and has established himself as one of the manager’s key midfield options.

Despite that importance, the latest developments suggest Rangers could finally be prepared to sanction his departure in January.

McInnes is understood to be aware that Raskin’s future remains uncertain. The Rangers boss would reportedly be happy to continue working with the midfielder beyond the current campaign, but the situation may ultimately be determined by the club and the player.

Raskin was recently asked about his future during a pre-match press conference before Rangers’ meeting with St Johnstone at Ibrox. When questioned about the possibility of extending his contract, the Belgian indicated that the decision would ultimately rest with Rangers.

That response has added further intrigue to a situation that could become one of the biggest stories surrounding the club during the January transfer window.

Sporx reported on 23 October that Rangers may already have decided what to do with Raskin. The Turkish outlet claims Besiktas are now close to an agreement with the Ibrox club for the midfielder, with negotiations reportedly progressing ahead of the winter window.

The report also claims Raskin has agreed personal terms with Besiktas. His proposed contract would allegedly be worth around £4.1million per year, giving him a significant financial incentive to move to Turkey.

However, there remains some caution surrounding the claims. Reports emerging from Turkey are not always dependable, meaning Rangers supporters may have to wait for further confirmation before treating the transfer as certain.

If Raskin does leave, the timing of the move could create a major headache for McInnes. The Belgian has developed an effective midfield partnership with Dan Neil, and the pair have played an important role in Rangers’ recent run of positive results.

Raskin’s performances have been particularly important as McInnes has helped Rangers recover from a difficult opening period. The midfielder has provided energy, composure and quality in the middle of the pitch, making his potential departure a significant concern.

Rangers do have other midfield options, although none may currently provide a direct replacement for Raskin. Vanja Dragojevic has shown encouraging signs since arriving from Partizan, but the youngster is still developing and may not yet be ready to take on such responsibility consistently.

Tochi Chukwuani is another option, but his situation has changed under McInnes. The midfielder has fallen down the pecking order since the manager’s arrival, and a January departure could become a realistic possibility if his lack of playing time continues.

The timing of Raskin’s potential transfer is therefore crucial. His Rangers contract is due to enter its final year next summer, making January potentially the club’s final opportunity to command a substantial transfer fee before his value becomes more complicated.

From a financial perspective, an offer of around £14.2million could be extremely attractive for Rangers. Selling a player approaching the final stage of his contract for an eight-figure fee would represent a significant piece of business.

Yet the footballing consequences could be much harder to manage. Rangers are competing for domestic honours, and losing one of their most influential midfielders halfway through the campaign could weaken McInnes’ squad at a critical stage.

For McInnes, the decision may therefore come down to balancing immediate sporting ambitions against the financial opportunity presented by Besiktas.

Raskin’s future remains uncertain for now, but if the latest Turkish reports prove accurate, Rangers could soon face one of their biggest decisions of the January window: accept a substantial offer for an important player, or keep him and risk losing a key asset later.