Trabzonspor in discussions with Rangers over transfer of captain James Tavernier

Trabzonspor are in discussions with Rangers over the transfer of James Tavernier after the Turkish side made an initial offer for the club captain.

No agreement has yet been reached on a fee for the experienced right-back but talks are continuing between the clubs.

The discussions could see Tavernier leave Ibrox after nine years at the club if Rangers’ valuation is met.

Borna Barisic and John Lundstram have already signed for Trabzonspor after their Rangers contract expired this summer and the club is keen to make it a trio of signings from Glasgow.

Tavernier has been at Rangers since signing from Wigan in 2015 but manager Philippe Clement and recruitment boss Nils Koppen are overseeing a rebuild of the squad and that could mean the departure of a player who has been a virtual ever-present in the team.

Signed by Mark Warburton on an initial three-year contract when Rangers were in the Championship, Tavernier was part of the promotion-winning side and was named captain by Steven Gerrard when the former Liverpool star took charge in 2018.

The full-back has won the Premiership, Championship, Scottish Cup, League Cup and Challenge Cup in his time in Scotland, as well as captaining the side as they reached the Europa League final in 2022.

A dead-ball specialist, Tavernier has been an attacking threat from right-back throughout his time at Rangers, scoring 125 goals and contributing 129 assists in 460 games for the club.

Ryan Jack, Kemar Roofe, Jon McLaughlin, John Lundstram, Borna Barisic and Robby McCrorie have all left Rangers this summer, with Jefte, Liam Kelly, Oscar Cortes, Connor Barron, Clinton Nsiala and Hamza Igamane all joining the club.