Andrew Maclean and Marvin Bartley reacted live on air to Fabrizio Romano’s announcement that Trabzonspor has sent a proposal to Rangers captain James Tavernier.
The duo, on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard on Thursday [18 July, 36m50s], gave their instant reactions as Romano posted on his X account [18 July] that the Turkish side had made a formal offer for the Gers skipper.
Trabzonspor has already signed Borna Barisic and John Lundstram as free agents from Ibrox this summer, and they are now looking to add Tavernier, who has been heavily linked with a move before the season begins.
Maclean quipped, “I don’t know if Trabzonspor have just been sat watching Rangers games and have decided to try and sign the whole team. It looks to be a significant move – it will get fans talking.”
Bartley responded, “Unless it’s something above what Rangers value him at, I think it will be a firm ‘no’. There is a divided opinion on Tavernier, and I know there have been doubts defensively – but it would leave a massive hole in terms of goals and assists.
“[Philippe] Clement’s recent comments were that they need to sell before they buy, so now clubs will be circling around thinking they should put in a cheeky bid for a certain player with Rangers needing to bring money in.”
Will Tavernier remain at Rangers this season?
The debate over whether Tavernier’s career at Rangers has run its course is still a hot topic among fans in Glasgow, with the captain having now spent nine years at Ibrox.
At 32 and with two years remaining on his current deal, now would be the time for the club to recoup the highest fee for him, making any Trabzonspor approach tempting to entertain as long as the offer to the Light Blues is not derisory.
Tavernier has also been linked with Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, and a possible reunion with Steven Gerrard – the Gers boss who handed him the armband six years ago.
Regardless of the split opinion on Tavernier, the fact remains that he is a key player both on the field and in the dressing room, and replacing him would be a significant challenge. The squad rebuild currently underway at the club means keeping Tavernier could retain some stability and consistency among the pool of players Philippe Clement has at his disposal.