According to latest reports, Crystal Palace are preparing a £3.5m bid for Rangers FC fullback, James Tavernier. It is also known to us that the Light Blues are ready to hear offers for their club captain near the £4m range.
This set of news might come as confusing to many Rangers fans since Tavernier currently holds the captain’s armband at the Ibrox and just recently penned down a three-year-long extension to his contract. The Bradford-born defender had also expressed his wishes of staying with the Scottish outfit in order to lead the side to the league title, upstaging their bitter rivals, Celtic in the process.
However, the regime change in recent times could have something to do with him being offloaded. Plus talks of Premier League football is bound to attract big names, no matter where they might play in Europe.
Steven Gerrard is planning a mass overhaul of players that he is comfortable working with. Several names have been linked with the club along with a final agreement with former Burnley player, Scott Arfield.
The Gers are set towards a new era in the Scottish Premiership as the ex-Liverpool player looks to bring a complete change in operations next term. Celtic have run over the club in the recent past by not only securing the treble but humiliating Rangers in the process.
Tavernier has been prolific last season on both ends of the pitch, scoring 9 and assisting 9 in his 46 total appearances. He has spent his primary years in England with teams like Newcastle United, Bristol City, Wigan Athletic, MK Dons and Sheffield Wednesday.
It seems like he has finally developed as a full-time professional and is ready to take the leap to Premier League football. However, there also might be a worrying concern among Rangers fans who are set to lose one of their best players!
Losing a player of Tavernier’s status could spark trouble for Gerrard’s transition into the Premiership outfit. A new manager needs senior figures in the club to help implement his plans better. The fullback is not only one of the senior figures in the squad he is also an integral part of the backline.
Lee Hodson does not come close to the talent Tavernier possesses and the former cannot be relied upon for an entirety of a season. Gerrard will either short staffed in the right-back position or will have a further headache of finding an able body in the position. For the time being, there is no need for the newly appointed boss to make any hasty decisions.
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Keeping the 26-year-old for at least another season is the right step forward.
