Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder is desperate to retain Marcus Tavernier’s services as Premier League duo Everton and Nottingham Forest target the £15 million forward, speaking to Teesside Live.
Clearly, Tavernier is not letting all the speculation distract him from the task at hand.
TalkSPORT believe that the Leeds-born 23-year-old is hopeful of securing a top-flight switch before the summer is out. But, as he finished off a flowing team move with an emphatic header during Boro’s 3-0 pre-season victory over Morecambe on Tuesday night, Tavernier’s performance certainly didn’t paint the picture of a footballer anything less than fully committed to the Riverside cause.
“I don’t want to lose arguably one of our top players,” Wilder says. “But I understand other bits about the game and the attraction of the Premier League.
“As you have seen tonight, Tav has took (the rumours) in his stride. I thought his performance and his goal was excellent. He’s a major player for us.”
Is Marcus Tavernier leaving Middlesbrough for the Premier League?
According to 90Min, Middlesbrough have already turned down £10 million bids from newly-promoted Nottingham Forest and AFC Bournemouth. Everton are interested too.
“I don’t know what is around the corner but he’s a good player,” Wilder adds. “Obviously, I want him to be a good player in a red shirt. He understands my philosophy and mentality. I think all of the players understand my philosophy and where I come from and how I want it to look.
“He’s come back and hit the ground running. His attitude is great and he is a proper player. He is a player that just gets on with it and I’m delighted that he is with us.”
Tavernier, a former England U20 international and the younger brother of Rangers captain James, tallied five goals and five assists last term. That means 2021/22 was the most productive campaign of his career thus far.
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