(Credit: Imago)

Callum O'Connell

Tue 31 March 2026 13:15, UK

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James Tavernier could be prepared to walk away from Rangers in the summer if an attractive offer is made and contract talks continue to stall.

The 34-year-old’s current deal is set to expire at the end of June when he will become a free agent, with Rangers yet to make a decision about offering new terms.

Concerns about his age and the potential length of any extension have seen doubts grow about his future, and there is a growing expectation he could be allowed to leave.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Tavernier would ideally likely to stay at Rangers, but he could be tempted away.

The right-back has been linked with moves to Saudi Arabia and Turkey in recent years, and if clubs were willing to make offers, Rangers could see their captain leave.

Why would James Tavernier opt to leave Rangers?

Football Insider revealed on 15 March that Rangers have concerns about Tavernier signing a contract extension given his age, despite his role in the side.

The growing uncertainty about his future as we edge towards his contract’s expiry date has led to more doubts about their plans to offer him new terms.

Should no offer arrive from Rangers, he will have no choice but to move on, and he could even be tempted away regardless of the club’s decision.

“I’m sure James Tavernier would like to stay at Rangers,” Brown told Football Insider.

“He’s been such an important player there for so many years and at his age I think he’d want to stick around and probably finish his career there.

“But having said that, if he gets a lucrative offer to go somewhere else at this stage of his career, I’m sure he could be tempted to take one last pay day.

“Obviously a lot will depend on how Rangers feel and whether they want to offer him a new contract, but even if they do, I don’t think it’s guaranteed.

“He might look at it and say, well why did it take so long? They’re obviously not sure about it, so any rival offers might tempt him to move on.

“There’s probably a lot still to happen and I’m sure they’ll sit down with him to talk about it, but I wouldn’t be too surprised to see him walk away.”

Rangers set sights on signing a new right-back

Amid doubts about the captain’s long-term future at Ibrox, Rangers have set their sights on signing a new right-back, with multiple targets in their sights.

Football Insider revealed on 27 March that Rangers want to sign Luca Stephenson after being impressed by his performances for Dundee United on loan this season.

Stephenson has been identified as a potential long-term replacement for Tavernier, and Rangers are now prepared to join the race for his signature.

The 22-year-old has impressed in the Scottish Premiership this season with the Old Firm clubs now tracking his progress ahead of a potential summer move.

However, he looks set to return to his parent club Liverpool at the end of the season where he is still highly regarded, with a shot at a place in the first-team squad.