Rangers: James Tavernier exit news emerges in Ibrox January transfer update

Rangers defender James Tavernier has emerged as a key target for Saudi Arabia clubs this month, according to TEAMtalk.

The UK news outlet shared (9 January) that several Saudi clubs are monitoring Tavernier's situation at Ibrox with his contract having just two years left to run at Rangers.

It isn’t clear at this stage which specific club is chasing his signature but former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard's side Al Ettifaq are likely to be part of the conversation.

However, Rangers are as expected, reluctant to lose their star player this month as they look to continue their improvement under Philippe Clement's management.

No way

Tavernier has spent the last nine years at Rangers after making the move from Wigan Athletic back in 2015 and certainly has not looked back since becoming a true icon and legend at the club.

The Ibrox fan-favourite has scored a staggering 117 goals and provided 123 assists during his 430 appearances at the club to mark him out as one the best goalscoring defenders in the world.

Rangers will certainly be pushing a hands-off warning to potential suitors this month as they look to continue their upward trajectory under Clement's management but Tavernier certainly won't be around forever.

Certainly, the 32-year-old has been a mainstay in the team, rarely missing a game through injury or suspension and is ever-so reliable when the club need him but the club must start planning for his eventual departure in the future.

That may not happen this month but Clement must start looking in the summer but for now, there is no way Tavernier will be leaving Ibrox no matter how much money Saudi clubs put on the table. He is priceless.

In other Rangers news, David Edgar shared what he has heard about Alfredo Morelos amid Ibrox links.