James Tavernier to exit Rangers by transfer deadline after Trabzonspor update
James Tavernier won’t be a Rangers player come the end of August amid transfer links with Trabzonspor, according to Mark Guidi.
The Light Blues captain has been linked with a move away from Ibrox throughout the summer transfer window, with reports suggesting the Turkish side have made several moves to secure his signature [Rangers Review, 23 July].
While the 32-year-old has played a part in pre-season fixtures and no deal has yet been agreed, the Sunday Mail’s chief football writer Guidi believes it “got to the stage” where the Englishman will exit.
Speaking on The Go Radio Football Show (29 July, 20:15) he said: “For James Tavernier, I think it’s a hard ride, I can understand if he might want to move on.
“Dujon Sterling’s there, I think Dujon Sterling could be the natural right-back replacement for James Tavernier and he’s in the building, he has wonderful pace.
“But if James Tavernier stays, I wouldn’t have a problem with that. I know he’s got this tag of a serial loser and he’s only won one title in nine years, but that’s not at all down to him.
“It will be interesting to see what happens, I think it’s got to the stage where he will be away, I don’t think he will be a Rangers player come the end of August.”
Will James Tavernier exit Rangers amid Trabzonspor transfer rumours?
It has almost felt inevitable over the past couple of weeks that Tavernier will leave Rangers this summer, even though there has been a lack of concrete updates around the captain’s situation in recent days.
Supporters will always be divided on the Englishman as some often brand him with the tag as the serial loser while others will feel he has been unfortunate to play in an ear where Celtic have dominated and the Gers have struggled.
The truth is likely somewhere in the middle of the two. If the Englishman remains at Ibrox this summer, he can still play a role going forward, but he has looked suspect defensively over the last few seasons and that could prove costly.
If the right fee can be agreed between all parties, it does feel as though it would be best if a deal could be concluded ahead of the transfer deadline.
That was Tavernier can leave as a modern-day hero without tarnishing his legacy any further.
In other Rangers news, Todd Cantwell has been told to reconsider his request to leave Ibrox during the summer transfer window
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