Aston Villa have been shockingly linked with a move for veteran free-agent full-back as transfer target.
Aston Villa’s transfer business seems to be quite busy this summer after losing two key men and potentially some more, with Lucas Digne, Emiliano Martinez, Ezri Konsa and even Ollie Watkins all being rumoured to depart Villa Park.
As a result, they are now monitoring targets from the free-agent market. One of the figures who has been on their radar is former Glasgow Rangers right-back James Tavernier.
Based on a report from TeamTalk, Aston Villa are definitely not the only Premier League team interested in the brother of Marcus Tavernier.
“The defender’s former club Newcastle United have explored the situation, while Everton and Aston Villa have also made enquiries, with all three viewing Tavernier as an experienced squad option capable of providing leadership and versatility.”
The 34-year-old full-back appears to be on his way out of Europe, with MLS side Charlotte FC the frontrunner to sign him. However, the team led by former Villa boss Dean Smith might have to put in more effort to convince him to ply his trade across the Atlantic.
Tavernier’s former club Newcastle and Everton would definitely provide him with a chance to play in the Premier League, something he never had while he was younger. There is also an opportunity to play in continental competition elsewhere, with Turkish Super Lig side Istanbul Basaksehir also in the mix.
Yet joining Aston Villa should be something Tavernier considers. He might not be playing week in, week out there, but an opportunity to play in the Champions League and perhaps lift a trophy surely cannot be missed. It would be even more special if Villa managed to sign his brother Marcus too. The Lions have also been keen on securing his move this summer.
James Tavernier might not have been an elite player in the Premier League, but he became a living legend at Glasgow Rangers. He joined Gers in 2015 when they were still in the second tier. The versatile right-back instantly helped them gain promotion in his first season.
He also played a key role when Rangers won their most recent league title in 2021 under Steven Gerrard, lifted the Scottish League Cup in 2024, won the Scottish Cup, and reached the Europa League final in 2022 before losing on penalties to Oliver Glasner’s Eintracht Frankfurt.
Tavernier did not only shine on the pitch but was also appointed club captain. He regularly stepped up and made the difference in big games. He scored the only goal in the 2024 Scottish League Cup final against Aberdeen and provided an assist in the 2016 Scottish Cup semi-final, when Rangers, then still in the second tier, beat arch-rivals Celtic on penalties.
During Rangers’ Europa League run in 2022, Tavernier contributed heavily with seven goals and two assists, including two braces against Borussia Dortmund in a 2-2 draw in the play-off round and Sporting Braga in a 3-1 quarter-final victory, plus another goal in the semi-final as Rangers beat RB Leipzig 3-1.
Overall, the Bradford-born right-back scored 144 goals and provided 148 assists in 565 appearances for Rangers.
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