New club enters race to sign Rangers star, ready to move before foreign transfer deadline - report

James Tavernier has a new club interested in signing him with a Rangers exit back on the table ahead of overseas transfer deadlines, according to HITC.

The outlet reported via their website on 6 September that Istanbul Basaksehir are the latest club to join the race for the 32-year-old defender, as Turkish clubs were alerted to a possible late deal and are ready to make moves for him.

The development comes after the Englishman was the target of abuse in the wake of the 3-0 Old Firm loss at Celtic last weekend, with the Light Blues said to be willing to consider bids as they come in ahead of the closure of other transfer windows.

A pair of Qatari sides as well as Turkey’s Big Three are also eyeing a late deal for the record-breaking goalscorer from defence.

Philippe Clement has stuck by embattled Rangers captain

After multiple seasons of taking the brunt of supporter criticism amid the Light Blues all-too-frequent failings since title 55 it would be a sudden change of view for Tavernier to want out after the Celtic loss.

He was widely seen as likely to be on his way after nine years during the summer but a bid from Trabzonspor was rejected [Sky Sports, 24 July] and long-held links to a reunion with Steven Gerrard in the Saudi Pro League didn’t manifest in a move, despite the full-back acknowledging the “speculation” at the end of last season [Sky Sports Scotland, 29 April].

Whether Philippe Clement’s struggles in the transfer market with a small budget and a squad of players he was finding hard to shift played a role, or Tavernier simply wasn’t ready to go, it looked like the end of the matter once the 30 August deadline passed in Scotland.

It can’t be denied that he has been a long way short of his best so far this season and he won’t have enjoyed being personally abused outside Ibrox after the Old Firm loss.

But it would be a dramatic move by him, his manager, and the club as a whole to sanction an exit at this stage when it is too late to sign anyone to take his spot in the squad.

Dujon Sterling is expected to take over the right-back position if and when the captain does depart [Chris Jack, 17 June] and Deadline Day loanee Neraysho Kasanwirjo can play at right-back so in theory the cover is there.

But with a massive injury list already developing as striker Danilo [The Rangers Review, 5 September] and winger Rabbi Matondo [Football Scotland, 5 September] were both ruled out for weeks to come it would be a risk to let another option leave, even if he hasn’t been effective of late.

In other Rangers news, an attacker who’s been frozen out of the first team picture has finally got his return opportunity after major squad developments.

For more Rangers news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.

The post New club enters race to sign Rangers star, ready to move before foreign transfer deadline - report appeared first on Ibrox News.