James Tavernier has seen his name mentioned in the back pages for the last two seasons as he gets linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.
The skipper was the subject of a rejected bid from Trabzonspor who ended up moving for someone else, and there has been little speculation about an Ibrox exit aside from this.
A new report from Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq has provided an insight into whether or not the long-term rumours could be about to come true.
James Tavernier now unlikely to leave Rangers for Saudi Arabia
Ben Jacobs of Give Me Sport, is the journalist who has explained where the former Rangers boss’ side sit in terms of foreign players with Tavernier said to be on his wish list:
“Ettifaq happy with their foreign signings and focused on the Saudi market.
“This won’t change providing Demarai Gray stays.
“Along with Fofana, understand Ettifaq want to sign a starting left-back and striker, and a squad-player in defensive midfield.”
Even positionally, it would appear as if Tavernier won’t be reunited with his former manager anytime soon.
A situation that Philippe Clement clarified recently too when asked what the situation with James Tavernier and his future at Rangers was:
“I don’t see a situation. I told you guys, Todd (Cantwell) is the only one who came to my office and said he wanted to leave – that’s it.
“I don’t know, there is maybe interest in a lot of players, I don’t know. He is a player for Rangers and is playing for Rangers. As long as players don’t say they want to leave, [they are] Rangers players.
“I think for every player who was here or in training, who is not saying they want to leave. So we will see.”
Tavernier struggled in his first few appearances for Rangers after having an injury affected pre-season.
Against Dynamo Kyiv, he looked greatly improved and was even seen linking with his opposite full-back Ridvan Yilmaz as an auxillary midfielder – exactly the sort of overload we saw early in Clement’s tenure.
Al Ettiffaq report leaves door open for Cyriel Dessers move
One player who the Ettifaq report could affect is Cyriel Dessers.
Looking for a striker and said to be attracting interest from the Middle East, Dessers display against Dynamo could well be enough to tempt a bid.
As Jacobs clarifies though, it might need Gray to leave before they can sign any more new foreign players.
Dessers is a player who continues to frustrate.
Against Hearts he was hapless, however, against Dynamo he looked like the type of player who could be trusted to be Rangers number nine for the foreseeable future.
Clement, if he had a choice, would clearly want to have more pace and dynamism in his attack but will know that he can’t bring in new players in until others are sold.
It doesn’t look like Tavernier is going anywhere now; however, Dessers could yet be on many a sporting director’s shopping list.
