Football
Rangers captain James Tavernier ‘keen’ on transfer exit but it’s not Trabzonspor
![Rangers captain James Tavernier ‘keen’ on transfer exit but it’s not Trabzonspor Rangers captain James Tavernier ‘keen’ on transfer exit but it’s not Trabzonspor](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/newspress-collage-bmigj2peh-1721942181571.jpg?1721945812&strip=all&quality=100&w=1920&h=1080&crop=1)
JAMES TAVERNIER looks destined for the Ibrox exit door after nine years at Rangers.
The skipper seems likely to be transferred to Turkey if a deal does get done and he calls time on his spell in Scotland.
But it may NOT be Trabzonspor he’s transferred to, as previously believed.
The Turkish side have led the chase for the Gers ace since tabling a surprise offer to re-unite him with Borna Barisic and John Lundstram last week.
It was even reported Tavernier had given the green light to a move too.
But Rangers turfed out the offer and the clubs remain far apart on the skipper’s value.
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There may be more to Tavernier’s thumbs up to a move to Istanbul however.
It’s been reported in Turkey that the 32-year-old IS keen to take a step to the Turkish capital and link up with an old Gers pal too.
But it’s to BESIKTAS and a reunion with Gio van Bronckhorst that’s now being touted in the Turkish press, rather than a Trabzonspor transfer.
According to Duhuliye, Tavernier “will look favourably on Beşiktaş’s offer” and he’s “on their transfer agenda”.
It’s claimed: “Dutch coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst wants to see his former student Tavernier in the squad.
“The coach presented a positive report to the directors about the player. Besiktas’ managers continue their research on the player’s cost.”
Trabzonspor tabled a “formal proposal” a week ago and their club hierarchy promised six more new arrivals starting at the weekend.
They brought in Pedro Malheiro from Boavista to replace Thomas Meunier at right-back – but Tavernier was also on their wishlist.
However they could also be pipped by their city rivals and Tavernier’s old boss van Bronckhorst.
His old team-mates Lundstram and Barisic made the move earlier this summer and Lundstram made his competitive debut in his new club’s Europa League qualifying win over MFK Ruzomberok.
The 2-0 away win in Slovakia saw the ex-Sheffield United middle man complete the full 90 minutes – but team-mate Barisic was absent from the matchday squad.
They meet again next week before the Turkish Super Lig season kicks off on August 11.
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