Ibrox View: Rangers may now ready offer for new defender as Tavernier bid expected at Ibrox

Rangers have had a quick start to the summer transfer window as they have already confirmed the signings of Jefte and Oscar Cortes.

But that is only the start for Philippe Clement as he undertakes his big summer rebuild in Glasgow, with the Belgian expected to make wholesale changes to his side before the start of next season in a bid to overthrow Celtic.

That means players will be moving both in and out of Ibrox this summer and few players have been more consistently linked with the Gers’ exit door than skipper James Tavernier.

The Englishman is reportedly a target for a number of clubs in the Saudi Pro League, including Steven Gerrards Al-Ettifaq and the Light Blues are expected to receive bids for his services sooner rather than later [The Fourth Official, 6 June].

Although no concrete offers have officially been made for the 32-year-old, there is a belief that Rangers are already preparing for his exit and that means alternative right-back options will likely already be identified.

Will Rangers sell James Tavernier during the summer transfer window?

One man who has been linked with a move north of the border is West Ham United defender Ben Johnson who is set to depart the London Stadium when his contract expires at the end of June.

Clement’s side are understood be one of a number of sides chasing the 24-year-old’s signature this summer, after he decided to reject a new four-year contract extension under Julen Lopetegui [The Athletic, 15 May].

While it remains to be seen if the Gers have made the Englishman an official offer, Nils Koppen and the rest of the Gers recruitment team may now be set to present their proposal as they prepare for life without Tavernier.

The Light Blues are unlikely to let their captain depart without a replacement in place and with bids now expected for Tavernier, time could be running out for Rangers to win the race for Johnson’s signature this summer.

Ultimately, the Gers are going to have to act now to ensure they sign the Hammers defender this summer. It could well be that an official offer is submitted to his camp sooner than expected.

In other Rangers news, the Light Blues have been told when they could learn Brighton’s decision over Abdallah Sima

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