James Tavernier is wanted by Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor, with Sky Sports revealing that an offer has been made.
The right-back has been quite simply stunning since his move to Ibrox back in 2015 and is currently their longest serving players. Now with more than 450 senior appearances for the Gers, as well as over 250 goal contributions from defence, it is fair to say that the Englishman’s move north of the border has worker out rather well.
He’s won the Scottish Premiership during his tenure and would also captain the side which narrowly lost in the Europa League Final on penalties to Eintracht Frankfurt in 2021. During that campaign, Tavernier scooped the top goalscorer award and is rather well known for his goalscoring exploits despite being a defender.
Having spent nine years in Scotland, perhaps a new challenge may prove favourable to the defender, who at 32, could now be reaching the latter stages of his career. Sky Sports have revealed that Turkish side Trabzonspor have made an offer for the Gers’ captain with it being understood that the club are open to selling their standout players if their values are met this summer.
Valued at around the £5.5 million mark by Transfermarkt, his sale would incur a significant fee and Rangers would also be making a significant profit having signed the defender for just over £200,000 from Wigan Athletic in 2015.
After coming through the youth ranks at Newcastle, Tavernier would gain senior experience at a whole whist of EFL sides, including the likes of Carlisle United, Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham United. He’d fail to make an impact at his parent club despite impressing on loan, and would join Wigan in 2014.
However his time with the Latics really didn’t work out, and he’d make just seven Championship starts, as well as a further four appearances off of the bench in the 2014/15 season. For the second half of that term, he would be loaned out to then-League One side Bristol City.
That would prompt his sale to Rangers in the summer of 2015 and after not showing a whole lot in the Championhip, he’s had quite an incredible career in Scotland.
Trabzonspor are currently in the qualification rounds for the UEFA Europa League and are facing Slovakian side Ruzomberok in the second qualifying round next Thursday (25th July). If they can make it into the competition, then a move would become more likely.
Writer’s View
After his time with Wigan, it is highly unlikely that anyone would’ve predicted Tavernier to rise as high as he has. Although he maybe doesn’t have as many trophies in his cabinet as he would’ve liked, the defender has been elite in his position for a number of years.
Now entering what could be considered the latter stages of his playing days, perhaps a change of scenery may be best for the 32-year-old. Still being able to play European football will no doubt help his decision and if Trabzonspor do make it to the group stages, then we could see a move materialise.
