Aston Villa are set to step up their interest in Rangers defender James Tavernier after securing promotion to the Premier League according to Football Insider.
The reputable football outlet claims that Villa are increasingly confident of securing his signature and are to launch a move to replace the ageing duo Ahmed Elmohamady and Alan Hutton, with the latter likely to leave in the summer.
Tavernier has been in scintillating form this season and Gers boss Steven Gerrard has admitted his side are vulnerable to losing their captain in the transfer window.
The 27-year-old has been prolific from defence, scoring 17 goals and providing 20 assists – the most of any player at Ibrox – throughout the campaign due to his set-piece expertise.
Dean Smith is keen on the English full-back, whose current deal at the Scottish club runs until 2022.
Good move for Aston Villa?
It is no secret that there at two clear weaknesses in Aston Villa’s side at this moment, their defence and the gaping hole left by Chelsea loanee Tammy Abraham in attack. When you compare James Tavernier to Villa’s current two right-sided defenders Hutton and Elmohamady, then the improvement is huge.
Tavernier offers something that not many defenders do in world football and that is goals and assists. His main strengths are attacking based, something which has been proved works by Liverpool.
Should he be available at a realistic price it would be a great move for Dean Smith. That is said because the 27-year-old has not yet been tested at a high level but it could well prove to be an inspired piece of business.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
This is a move which has been suggested for a long time now with Villa clearly choosing Tavernier as their preferred target. Add to that the fact that the Villans are screaming out for defensive reinforcements and this could well be one of their most important deals.
Steven Gerrard is understandably reluctant to see his captain leave Ibrox, with him being a vocal point of the side for many years but did admit his phone has been busy with calls regarding the Englishman.
Should Villa want their man badly enough then they will have to pay a hefty sum to Rangers who could well be prepared to let Tavernier leave at the right cost.
This is Futbol rating: 6/10