Rangers are prepared to lose Nicolas Raskin in the closing stages of the transfer window and have been bracing for offers.
The 25-year-old has been widely expected to leave Ibrox this summer, with plans already in place behind the scenes for his departure, and talks seemingly accelerating.
This comes as the Belgium international has not travelled with Derek McInnes’ squad ahead of their Conference League play-off clash with Czech outfit Jablonec.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Raskin’s departure is now “inevitable” and will come as no surprise to McInnes or the Ibrox decision-makers.
In fact, the only surprise is that the midfielder is still a Rangers player, with initial expectations that he would have left earlier in the transfer window.
Now, though, their plans will be called into action with the midfielder set to move on amid growing interest from clubs across Europe, notably including Fenerbahce.
Will Rangers accept a new offer for Nicolas Raskin?
Brown warned Football Insider on 20 August that Raskin would likely leave Rangers closer to the transfer deadline, with plans in place to accept a significant offer.
The Ibrox club have been resigned to his exit since the World Cup ended, as his performanes for Belgium attracted interest from a number of top clubs across Europe.
The news that he will be excluded from their Conference League clash suggests a deal is now close, although Rangers have been preparing for this eventuality.
“Rangers have been expecting Nicolas Raskin leave this summer,” Brown told Football Insider.
“It’s not going to be a surprise to them, so they’re prepared to lose him, and they will have plans in place behind the scenes for if and when it happens.
“At any top club, you always have to have succession plans. If you think one of your important players is going to move on, you need to know what the next steps are.
“Whether that means having a replacement lined up so that you can make a move quickly after the sale goes through, or maybe even one already through the door.
“Rangers will know what they want to do and how they want to treat Raskin’s exit, whether they do it or not, that remains to be seen.
“All too often now, it seems things don’t quite go to plan, and I must admit I don’t have total confidence in Rangers based on the way their last few seasons have gone.
“But if they’re smart, and they’ve been planning, then they will be prepared for Raskin to leave and then they will be able to react.”
Which clubs are interested in signing Raskin?
Despite links with a number of clubs across Europe, and a growing expectation that he will soon move on, it has not been made clear where he will end up.
Turkish giants Fenerbahce have been linked in recent days, and have been long-term admirers, but the midfielder also has suitors elsewhere in Europe.
Football Insider revealed in June that Premier League clubs have been keeping an eye on Raskin’s situation, with his likely availability placing a number of clubs on alert.
The likes of Leeds United, Hull City and even Tottenham have been linked with the midfielder, although the Tigers are the only ones to have formalised that interest.
That move looks to have cooled however, with a move to Turkey now seen as the midfielder’s most likely destination before the window closes.
