Newcastle, Nice, and PSG Pursued James Tavernier Before Surprise Maccabi Tel Aviv Move

James Tavernier, the 34-year-old defender who spent 11 years at Rangers, is reportedly on the verge of a surprising transfer to Maccabi Tel Aviv. Despite a season where he scored eight goals and provided four assists, Tavernier lost his starting position at Rangers, though he returned to the lineup late in the season as the club finished third behind Hearts and Celtic.

Throughout the summer transfer window, Tavernier was linked with moves to top European leagues, with Nice and Paris FC expressing interest. These potential transfers did not materialize. He also held discussions with Charlotte FC of Major League Soccer, a team that has signed players with similar profiles.

Earlier in the window, reports from Scotland suggested Rangers considered offering Tavernier a professional role within the club, but he indicated his desire to continue playing football elsewhere. Tavernier himself believes he has three to four more seasons of high-level play ahead of him.

Unverified reports also claimed that Newcastle United, Everton, and Aston Villa had made inquiries about the defender. Ultimately, Tavernier remained without a club until the transfer window closed. His move to Maccabi Tel Aviv is facilitated by a close connection to Kenny Miller.

Tavernier's last match was on May 8th, and he has not trained since. However, his physical condition remains strong, evidenced by a top speed of 35.4 km/h last season, a pace that would rank him among the fastest players in the Israeli Premier League.