As has now been widely reported, Rangers not only rejected an initial loan offer from Besiktas for Belgian midfielder Nico Raskin, but then later, on the Scottish deadline day, a second bid from the Turks, this time a permanent offer. Rangers fans, for the majority, were extremely relieved to hear that Andrew Cavenagh had apparently blocked the transfer. This after having learned of the initial loan acceptance. Many fans are extremely angry that the initial loan was originally accepted before Cavenagh blocked the deal after Rangers Raskin bids.
Cavenagh intervenes in Raskin bids
There have been many, many differing reports and indeed theories about what fully transpired. The main one is of Cavenagh’s intervention. That second bid, of a permanent nature, was said to be around £10.5M. That was also rejected later in the day.
Rangers now deal that while the Scottish window has now slammed shut, not every window in Europe has followed likewise. The main dangers that Rangers now have are today, the 4th of September, whereby the Portuguese and Turkish windows remain open. Those significant leagues remain open until significantly later today, and of course many big sides in these countries are in the Champions League.
Portugal and Turkey offer Raskin an escape route with bids
Raskin had accepted Besiktas’s offer. He was happy to switch to Turkey. He very much wants to leave Rangers, and the opportunities are now way less, of course, with the big five leagues slamming shut two days ago.
However, Portugal and Turkey offer an escape route, particularly Portugal, which has, of course, many colossal teams in its ranks. They are a very attractive proposition for a player to go to. Porto, Benfica and Sporting especially are the big three in that division – two of those are in the UCL. Not to mention one or two other attractive propositions that a player would be interested in.
And of course, just because Besiktas’s permanent offer was rejected on the 3rd does not mean that they will not come back in with something again on their deadline day. The simple fact of the matter is that Rangers have until midnight tonight to know that the chance of selling or losing Raskin has reduced to close to zero.
Other transfer windows remain open for Raskin
There are, of course, the Middle Eastern leagues. This includes the Saudi and Israeli leagues, which also offer transfer windows closing in the near future. Put simply, James Tavernier will go to Maccabi Tel Aviv, whose window closes over the next week. And Raskin may even find that an attractive proposition as well.
We’re not quite sure exactly what Raskin wants at this point, other than to depart Rangers. We will have analysis of his performance against Falkirk in due course.
Besiktas could return with a third bid to Rangers
But suffice to say, this saga may not be over quite just yet. Besiktas may have a third and similarly significant offer for the Belgian because, as we know and have said, their window is still to close today. All sorts of things can happen over the course of the next 12 to 14 hours.
For Rangers Raskin bids, watch this space.