Rangers transfer news: James Tavernier January exit can’t be completely ruled out amid Saudi reports – Chris Jack
Chris Jack has repeatedly heard of supposed interest in a Saudi side signing James Tavernier from Rangers but while it hasn’t come to anything so far he says it would be “silly” to completely rule it out.
The journalist said on the Rangers Review Morning Briefing on 10 January that he would be “surprised” if the 32-year-old was willing to give up his current situation but admitted “money talks”, so it couldn’t be completely dismissed, even as previous reports haven’t led to a move.
A report from TEAMtalk a day earlier had claimed the Ibrox captain was a “key target” for multiple Saudi clubs, after similar suggestions had emerged during the summer window.
Jack said (12m 10s): “This one comes around every so often. I heard… over the course of the summer that there was a bit of interest in Tav. It never materialised, it was played down at that stage.
“I actually heard a murmuring a few weeks ago that there might be interest in him, but again it didn’t really go anywhere, didn’t really seem to have any legs. It’s now come back again.
“I would be surprised, not because Tav’s not a good player or because he wouldn’t fancy the money on offer because that’s obviously a huge incentive for anyone, but I don’t see what’s in it for Tav apart from the financial side of it…
“It would be a big move from Tav’s perspective to say, ‘I’m going to give up on a testimonial, the chance to really cement my Rangers legacy, cement my place in Rangers history’.
“There may be many millions of reasons why he might do it, obviously it sets his family up for life, but it’s not as if he’s playing for Rangers for nothing. He’s on a decent wage, there’s still a couple of years left on his contract.
“It’s hard to say ‘no’ because as soon as a Saudi offer’s put in front of anyone, as we’ve seen, many players have taken it…
“And obviously from a Rangers perspective they will not want to lose him. You can’t afford to be losing your captain halfway through the season, but again, money talks… it’d be silly to completely knock it down.”
Talisman
He has his detractors but it is hard to understate Tavernier’s significance to Rangers still, so even if an official bid did arrive from the Saudi Pro League the club would need to think carefully about accepting it.
All bets are off when it comes to whether a player would be swayed by the riches on offer in the Middle East, although Jordan Henderson’s attempts to return to England already suggest it doesn’t mean everything.
But unless there was enough money on the table for Rangers to bankroll a full rebuild for Philippe Clement then it would be a risk to let the captain go.
Dujon Sterling may be the man to take over the right-back position, although that is as yet unproven since the summer signing has impressed primarily in midfield in recent weeks.
But in terms of goals and assists, particularly in big games, it isn’t difficult to argue that there is nobody else in the squad, regardless of position, that can fill the gap currently.
Tavernier will clearly leave at some point, whether that be via retirement or a move, but he is going to leave a huge gap to fill when he does and Rangers don’t look ready to cope with that yet.
In other Rangers news, a change in circumstances for one goalscorer has been tipped to play into the Light Blues’ hands amid links to a deal in the January transfer window.