According to the latest reports from Daily Mail as cited by Daily Record, James Tavernier has emerged as a top transfer target for Newcastle United. Tavernier had come up from Newcastle United’s setup and made ten senior appearances for them.
It is being said that Newcastle will have to come up with a sizeable bid for the 27-year-old as the fullback is under contract at Rangers until 2022. Steven Gerrard had also made it clear earlier that all his players are for sale but only for the right price. On Tavernier, the manager had said in this transfer window, “Am I confident of keeping Tav and Alfredo? It’s not a question I need to answer right now because there are no offers.”
It seems clear that Rangers are open to selling if the right offer comes their way this summer. There is no surprise to see an interest in Tavernier after the season he had. The Englishman came up with 17 goals and 20 assists in all competitions last campaign.
What now for Rangers?
There is still plenty of time to go before the Premiership window shuts down. Therefore if Newcastle United come up with a sizeable offer in the next two odd weeks, then we think that Rangers will sell as they will get enough time to replace him in the transfer market. Hopefully, the club will not make the mistake of selling the captain in the last few days or week of the transfer window. The English transfer window closes early so replacing him shouldn’t be too much of a worry for Rangers if Tavernier moves to England.
The fact that Newcastle United is his former club and he will get another opportunity to represent them in the English top-flight could potentially turn the Rangers’ captain’s head. Gerrard still has him at Ibrox on a long term contract so he should be in an excellent position to negotiate.
How much should Gerrard demand?
Tavernier’s overlapping runs, pace, ability to go past defenders in one on one situations and his vicious right foot makes him a standout attacking fullback. Given today’s market, the club should be looking for anything around £10m for the 27-year-old.
Tavernier also has the experience of playing in England before so that is also going to be plus for Newcastle. Given today’s modern-day style of play, fullbacks are seen more of an attacking option. Tavernier is one of the best fullbacks in the Scottish league. He indeed has some defensive vulnerabilities to his game, but the former Wigan defender can change the game in the attacking third.
