Rangers see James Tavernier transfer exit silence broken by Trabzonspor but 'plan B' guarantee comes with caveat

Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan has guaranteed that the arrival of a new right-back is imminent amid interest in Rangers captain James Tavernier.

However, the skipper may be made to wait on a reunion with former Ibrox teammates John Lundstram and Borna Barisic in Turkey with another target set to arrive at Papara Park in Tavernier's position BEFORE the Englishman. Reports suggest that Rangers and Trabzonspor are looking to come to an agreement on a fee for the 32-year-old - with claims in Turkey that a two-year agreement has already been rubber-stamped.

Boss Philippe Clement has been open about having to sell players before he can resume his summer recruitment drive ahead of the new Scottish Premiership campaign and Champions League qualifiers. And supremo Dogan has faced a similar rebuild after the sudden departure of Belgian international Thomas Meunier.

Meunier is set to join Lille on a free transfer after cutting his contract short after just six-months at the club. And speaking to Turkish media, Dogan promised a quick-fire replacement. Reports suggest it will be 23-year-old Boavista star Pedro Malheiro who is incoming. However, chairman Dogan assured fans that the business would not stop there amid interest in Tavernier.

He said: "Our plan B (after Meunier's departure) was ready and we took action immediately. Our new right-back will arrive in a day or two. Our only thought is to create a team that makes the fans happy, stands tall on the field and fights. Our fans should not worry. Trabzonspor will fight for the top.

"Today or tomorrow, Trabzonspor will complete the right-back transfer. We are planning to make 5-6 more transfers. We aim to complete 2-3 of them in the next 2-3 days."