Glasgow Rangers are reportedly set to face a fight to keep James Tavernier at Ibrox this summer.
According to a report from the Daily Mail, Newcastle are interested in bringing James Tavernier back to St James’ Park this summer, but may need to pay £8 million for the Rangers captain.
The 27-year-old went into this summer off the back of his best campaign yet at Ibrox. Tavernier scored 17 goals in all competitions as Rangers finished second in the Scottish Premiership and impressed during the group stages of the Europa League.
But it appears that Steven Gerrard may face a fight to keep the right-back at Ibrox during the latter stages of the summer window. The Daily Mail reports that the Magpies are interested in Tavernier five years after he left Tyneside to join Wigan.
The Mail adds that Rangers could consider offers of around £8 million for the defender, who boasts an incredible goalscoring record during his time with the Light Blues. He averages better than one goal every five games.
Could Tavernier quit Rangers?
Tavernier has arguably never been more popular with the Rangers fans than he is now after the fantastic campaign he has enjoyed, and there is a real sense that Gerrard is building something impressive with the Gers that may culminate with the club soon ending Celtic’s stranglehold on the league title.
A return to Newcastle may however, leave Tavernier with food for thought. Joining Steve Bruce’s squad would present the full-back with the chance to immediately become a key man for a Premier League side – and also prove to the Magpies exactly why they were wrong to let him go in the first place.
Despite that, it would be no surprise if Tavernier’s preference was to stay at Rangers this summer while they continue to improve under Gerrard.
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