Arsenal should sign Rangers captain James Tavernier this summer, according to ex-Gunners player Sanchez Watt. The Ibrox skipper has been in sensational form, helping Rangers reach the Europa League semi-finals.
Tavernier, 30, has had a hand in a whopping 31 goals from right-back – scoring 15 and creating 16 in 51 games for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side. He now has 80 goals and 106 assists in 340 games for Rangers, since 2015.
But his seven-year stay at Rangers could come to an end this summer with numerous clubs likely to be interested in his services. Steven Gerrard has been regularly linked with taking right-back Tavernier to Aston Villa.
Arsenal are said to be looking at a right-back this summer, the latest to be linked is Udinese’s Nahuel Molina. But Watt believes they should be looking closer to home – albeit, north of the border at Rangers star Tavernier.
Watt on Tavernier: Should Arsenal pursue Rangers star?
For Rangers to get into the Europa League semi-final, it is incredible – but it is also proof to the snobbery of English clubs and fans that Scottish football is on the way up. Tavernier has been the heartbeat of Rangers’ push.
He has proven, with a brace against Dortmund and then against Braga in the quarter-final, that he has what it takes to fight at the top end of elite competition. He is easily good enough for the Premier League, and Arsenal.
Would he start over Takehiro Tomiyasu? Would Arsenal spend big to sign a player that turns 31 in October? Probably not. But he would certainly bolster the Gunners with European football on the horizon.
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