Rangers appear ready to part ways with midfielder Nicolas Raskin just as they close in on the signing of Girona winger Kim Min-su, in what looks set to be a busy few days of transfer activity at Ibrox.
The 25-year-old Belgian was a notable absentee from the squad that travelled to face Jablonec in the second leg of their Europa Conference League play-off, with Rangers holding a 1-0 advantage from the first leg. Manager Derek McInnes confirmed the decision to leave Raskin behind in Glasgow was linked directly to transfer speculation rather than any fitness issue.
Raskin has been strongly linked with a move to Turkish side Fenerbahce in recent days, and while McInnes declined to elaborate on the specifics of the interest, he made clear that the club had been anticipating a potential departure for some time.
"Nico hasn't travelled, nothing to do with injury or anything like that, just the potential of a transfer," McInnes said. "I just think we're so late in the window, maybe it's something the club's looking at."
The manager revealed that Raskin still trained with the squad on the morning of the trip before being withdrawn from travel plans. "So, he's trained this morning but he's been left back in Glasgow," McInnes added.
According to McInnes, the possibility of Raskin leaving was flagged to him even before he officially took charge of the Rangers job. "When I came into the job, it was quite clear that there was maybe going to be an opportunity for Nico elsewhere. There's been plenty of interest in him. We believe that interest has stepped up over the last couple of days," he explained.
Despite the uncertainty, McInnes stressed that he would be happy to continue working with the midfielder should a move fail to materialise before the window closes. "So, something may or may not happen. If Nico stays beyond the window, then it would be great to work with him, but if he doesn't, we wish him well," he said.
Raskin has spent three and a half years at Ibrox, but his time in Glasgow now looks to be drawing to a close as interest from Turkey intensifies.
While Rangers prepare for a possible exit, they are simultaneously edging closer to bringing in fresh reinforcements. South Korean winger Kim Min-su, 20, was due in Glasgow to undergo a medical, with the move from Girona expected to be finalised soon. If completed, the signing would become Rangers' 12th of the summer transfer window.
"We're close to certainly doing one," McInnes said of the Kim deal. "Min-su is obviously one that we've been really active on."
The Rangers boss was cautious about confirming anything officially but suggested an announcement could come soon. "We're not in a position where we can announce anything at the minute but it wouldn't be a million miles away to suggest that hopefully that one happens for us," he added.
McInnes also indicated that further business could follow before the transfer deadline, as the club looks to strengthen the squad ahead of the new campaign. "We're still working on one or two other things. The sooner we get them in, the better, but the club are working hard to try and deliver the players that we require for the season ahead," he said.
As Rangers continue their European campaign against Jablonec, attention both on and off the pitch remains firmly fixed on how the closing days of the transfer window will shape McInnes' squad heading into the new season.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport Football.