​Rangers have submitted a €6 million offer for Vaclav Cerny, but Besiktas promptly rejected it. Turkish journalist Onur Taşcıoğlu, posting from X, confirms that the Istanbul club has zero intention of selling at that price, matching the exact fee they paid Wolfsburg for the Czech winger back in September 2025. The message from the Süper Lig side is clear: pay up, or he stays where he is.
Vincenzo Italiano, the former Bologna boss who now presides over Besiktas, has been explicit with the club’s board: don’t sell Cerny. His contract in Turkey runs through 2028, with an extension option. A report from Arti5TV on July 4 suggested the forward could be a rotational option if Besiktas buys more attackers this summer, which hardly marks him as an indispensable asset.
Rangers, meanwhile, know exactly what they are missing. Bringing Cerny to Ibrox on loan during the 2024-25 campaign proved a masterstroke, and he repaid that faith handsomely. In the Scottish Premiership alone, he made 33 appearances, scoring 12 goals and providing four assists. He created six big chances and averaged 2.5 key passes per game. Yet the Glasgow club chose not to trigger his purchase option that summer. Now they want him on a permanent basis, and that hesitation has cooled any goodwill.
The rejection stings because Rangers created their own difficulties. Cerny contributed 18 goals and nine assists across all competitions during his year in Glasgow, yet Rangers walked away. Besiktas picked him up for a bargain. After a productive season in Turkey, registering 13 goal involvements across 30 games in 2025-26, his price tag has risen.
What happens next? Rangers should not go a penny over €6 million for a 28-year-old winger who did not dominate the Süper Lig. He was solid rather than spectacular, delivering 13 goal involvements for a team that underperformed. He is a good player, but not irreplaceable.
From a tactical standpoint, the move makes sense. Cerny cuts inside, plays with tempo, and comprehends the relentless pace of Scottish football. He would not need to be reminded of the importance of a dreary Wednesday night at Pittodrie; that is exactly the kind of fixture that tests a squad during a rebuild. That is a strong positive when considering the broader squad dynamics.
Financially, however, the logic collapses if Besiktas hold out for €7 million or €8 million. Rangers are already reluctant to meet the full £6 million equivalent. His age is a negative factor, and Ibrox’s recruitment strategy favors younger players with genuine resale value. That cautious approach is reasonable.
Given all of this, Rangers should present one decisive bid and escalate with realism. Initiate a single, well-structured bid at €7 million, accompanied by realistic add-ons that reflect performance milestones and appearances. If Besiktas say no again, walk away immediately. The transfer market is rich with wingers, and there are other viable options available. This should be the stance moving forward, aiming for a transparent and efficient negotiation that preserves Rangers’ financial prudence while remaining open to a pragmatic upgrade on the wings.