Sometimes you see a transfer rumour and immediately disregard it, this summer’s has to be Manchester United and Arsenal eyeing up James Tavernier doesn’t it? Not according to 90min.com anyway.
Man Utd see him as an option if they miss out on Kieran Trippier and Arsenal to replace Hector Bellerin.
When you consider the amount of money being spent by both sides, why would they consider turning their attentions to a man who is about to turn 30 in the autumn? I’ll give you a couple of reasons why.
One. Kieran Tierney. Widely regarded as one of the best full-backs in the league when he isn’t on the treatment table, the 24-year old cost Arsenal £25million in 2019 when he was producing numbers that both Borna Barisic and Tavernier could better.
Yes, he has time on his hands in terms of development but it does prove something. The Scottish Premiership shouldn’t always be written off as the farmers league that many down south would have you believe.
Two. Tavernier has 65 goals and 90 assists in his time at Rangers, 289 appearances, during which he barely missed a minute of action until this season. That’s better than a goal or an assist every two games – from right-back.
Gary Stevens or David Robertson weren’t this prolific, neither were Arthur Numan or Allan Hutton, it is a ridiculous output for a “defender”.
If Tav wasn’t approaching 30 we might have had a bit of a sweat on regarding his future but at this stage of his career and with the opportunity to lead us out to the Champions League anthem, I don’t think we’ll have anything to worry about.