Rangers could now let James Tavernier leave Ibrox in £4million transfer this summer
Rangers could let James Tavernier leave if they receive a bid of around £4million this summer, according to Cammy Bell.
The former Ibrox keeper told Clyde 1 Superscoreboard on 26 April that he knows the Gers captain is happy with the Light Blues, but can’t rule out the possibility that a big-money offer might be deemed acceptable for player and club.
Tavernier has been repeatedly linked to a move to Saudi Arabia since former boss Steven Gerrard took over at Al Ettifaq, with the latest report from the Daily Record on 24 April suggesting the ex-England captain is eyeing a double-deal for the right-back and teammate Connor Goldson.
Bell said, via the Daily Record: “James Tavernier is set here in Glasgow. He is happy at Rangers – I know that. He is very happy at Rangers. I think he has seen his career finishing at Rangers – certainly at one point. Whether he still does I am unsure, but these offers do come in. It will be up to the club rather than the player.
“At the end of the day he has two years left, and they will have to offer enough that Rangers see it as a good deal for them. Yes, he is 32 and they are not going to get £10million for him.
“I would think a value of £3-£4million is what they would mark him at. It is going to be up to Rangers – and then if they accept you would have to say the money on offer over there could be life-changing. It might be an offer that he considers and wants to go and see a different part of the world, but I know he is happy at Rangers.
“My big thing is that if you are wanting to move James Tavernier you have to have a replacement. You have to have somebody that is better than James Tavernier coming into the club.
“That is not easy. His numbers are incredible going forward and yes, there are questions defensively but that replacement is not an easy one to find for the manager.”
Steven Gerrard to poach Rangers captain from Philippe Clement?
Defensively it shouldn’t be too difficult to replace Tavernier, although Rangers have made such a meal of the left-back spot over the past couple of seasons that may be easier said than done.
But offensively it is not hyperbole to suggest that losing the 32-year-old would rob Philippe Clement of his greatest weapon, so the money it brought in would have to be substantial to stand a chance of filling the gap he left behind.
It may be that Gerrard never acts on his interest in a reunion with his former Ibrox skipper, and even if he does Tavernier might not be taken with the idea, especially when high-profile players such as Jordan Henderson have decided taking the money was a mistake.
But if the possibility became real it would risk leaving a huge gap behind in Glasgow, with Tavernier’s 29 goals and assists once again leading the the whole Rangers squad.
Clement already needs to land a bonafide number one striker to take the burden off the productive yet inconsistent Cyriel Dessers, with Lawrence Shankland a possibility, while work is required in midfield and defence so if a sale could fund an overhaul it might be a sacrifice that the Gers are willing to make.
Dujon Sterling might be a ready-made right-back replacement but has arguably established himself more as a midfielder, so if a bid came in for Tavernier there would be plenty to consider.
In other Rangers news, an international approach has been backed to be accepted by an Ibrox ace in what would be a “concern” for the manager.
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