James Tavernier told rules to seal Rangers transfer exit by 'stringent' Trabzonspor as boss makes stance clear

The Turkish side have launched an attempt to take Tavernier to Turkey this summer

Rangers captain James Tavernier appears to be inching closer to a move to Trabzonspor - but the deal could be held up with boss Abdullah Avci demanding a "stringent medical".

Tavernier was the subject of a bid on Thursday and could team up with John Lundstram and Borna Barisic as their third signing from Rangers this summer - with reports suggesting a two-year agreement has already been rubber-stamped. Boss Philippe Clement has already conceded that players will need to move on before he can sign more - and Tavernier looks set to lead the exodus to fund the overhaul by the Belgian boss.

But Turkiye Gazetesi claim the brakes could be placed on a deal with Avci holding concerns over the age of the player. The club have also been tracking Boavista right-back Pedro Malheiro - with the 23-year-old's potential move to Turkey now being thrown into doubt by the approach for 32-year-old Tavernier.

It is claimed that Avci will "request a detailed health analysis" of Tavernier and "make a decision accordingly" on which player he would to make his right-back for next season. The skipper has rarely been sidelined through injury during his time at Ibrox - but it is claimed that a deal is unlikely to be completed by Trabzonspor's Europa League second round qualifying fixture against Ruzomberok on July 25 while checks are carried out.

However, should a deal be held up it appears that Tavernier will have his pick of potential exit options. The Sun claim former boss Gio van Bronckhorst could try to take him to Besiktas while there is also interest from England.