Report explains why West Brom ended hunt for Rangers’ James Tavernier

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Glasgow Rangers defender James Tavernier was linked with the Ibrox exit during the final hours of the English window.

According to a report from the Express and Star, West Brom walked away from talks over a move to sign Rangers captain James Tavernier due to the Gers ace’s wage demands, with the Baggies believing that £4 million would have been enough to land the right-back.

The Express and Star reports that an addition on the right-hand side of the defence remains a priority for Darren Moore after a start to the campaign which has seen the Baggies concede six goals in just three Championship games.

It appears that Tavernier was the man that Moore wanted to bring in before Thursday’s initial deadline. The Express and Star suggests that West Brom failed with a bid of £1.8 million that could have risen to £3 million – and the report has explained why they did not come back in with a fresh bid when Rangers turned that offer down.

The Express and Star suggests that it is believed that Rangers would have sold the 26-year-old for £4 million, but his wage demands were what persuaded West Brom to walk away from negotiations.

If it is true that Rangers were prepared to sell Tavernier for £4 million, it is a very surprising move from the Gers despite the strength that they have added at full-back over the summer. The former Wigan ace has been an excellent servant for the Light Blues and has probably shown some of his best form at the start of this term. He is clearly relishing wearing the captain’s armband.

The claim that the wage demands scuppered any hope of a potential deal hints that Tavernier may have suggested to West Brom that it was going to take a sensational offer to tempt him away from Ibrox, and they were not prepared to meet those terms.