After nine years marauding down the right-hand side with Rangers, James Tavernier is braced to quit Ibrox.
Gers fans have been demanding change in the club’s squad for several seasons with far too many of the Rangers team overpaid and underachieving.
But as Rangers wait on outgoings to fund incomings, few would’ve though that club captain and Ibrox stalwart James Tavernier would be the first domino to fall.
And yet – as Fabrizio Romano confirms Trabzonspor have made a proposal to Rangers for Tavernier – one of Turkish football’s most trusted sources has just hinted the deal is closer than many think.
Turkish journalist provides Tavernier update
Turkish sports media is isn’t exactly famed for reliability when it comes to football transfers.
But Yagiz Sabuncuoglu is considered one of the country’s most reputable and reliable sources of footballing information.
It’s worth noting that Sabuncuoglu broke news of Trabzonspor being interested in John Lundstram after setting their sights on Borna Barisic.
Now, the Sports Digitale journalist has taken to X in the aftermath of the James Tavernier news breaking to provide some pretty fascinating details surrounding the deal.
According to Sabuncuoglu, Tavernier has already agreed personal terms with Trabzonspor over a two-year deal with another year’s option.
It’s also said that Rangers and the Turkish Super Lig side are only €1m (£840k) apart in negotiations over a transfer fee.
Translated, the tweet reads:
“Trabzonspor reached a 2+1 year agreement with James Tavernier. There is a difference of €1m between Trabzonspor’s offer and the transfer fee requested by Rangers.”
Rangers exit increasingly likely
Like we say, if Yagiz Sabuncuoglu is reporting it in Turkey, then you can pretty much be rest-assured that the links are genuine.
If Rangers are to let go of James Tavernier this window, the move will come with mixed emotions amongst Ibrox fans.
A remarkable return of 125 goals and 129 assists in 460 games has made the Gers captain British football’s highest scoring defender ever.
Lifting the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup and League Cup, Tavernier also guided Rangers to the 2022 Europa League Final.
Having given the best years of his career to Rangers, the Ibrox Hall of Famer is a bonafide legend and has tirelessly worked his way into the club’s history books, often against a wave of criticism.
Potentially following John Lundstram and Borna Barisic to Trabzonspor, there is an ex-Rangers community building in the Black Sea city and it’ll be interesting to see how it goes in Turkey next season.
That’s if the deal – which appears close to completion – doesn’t collapse at the last minute.
