Newcastle and Aston Villa Dealt Transfer Blow as ‘Amazing’ Star Eyes Ligue 1 Move
Newcastle United and Aston Villa were reported to have registered interest in a highly experienced free-agent full-back last week, but now face added competition for the former Rangers star.
The full-back has no shortage of suitors following his exit from Ibrox, despite his age of 34 years old. He played nearly 4,000 minutes of football across 52 appearances last season and is highly rated across the continent.
The Magpies are believed to have explored offering the defender a contract, with Premier League rivals Everton and Aston Villa also launching enquiries. However, it was touted that a formal offer from a top-flight side would only come later in the window with work to be done on existing squads first.
Newcastle United and Aston Villa face Ligue 1 competition for veteran
That could allow another suitor to swoop in and snap up James Tavernier. Ben Jacobs reports that both Paris FC and Nice are ‘showing interest’ in the full-back.
In a potential blow to Newcastle United and Aston Villa, the player is also said to be open to a move to Ligue 1, despite interest from the Premier League.
Tavernier, described as ‘amazing’, made six Champions League qualifying appearances with Rangers last term and then enjoyed seven outings in the Europa League, scoring in a 1-1 draw against Braga in Glasgow.
Neither Paris FC nor Nice could offer the player the chance to play European football over the 2026/27 campaign, with the former finishing 11th in Ligue 1 last term, and the latter placing a lowly 16th.
MLS and Championship clubs monitor James Tavernier
The only suitor who could offer Tavernier the chance to play in Europe is Unai Emery’s side. Aston Villa will play in the Champions League next season, having won the Europa League last time out.
That would likely be an asset to the Villans, who could also benefit from the free transfer as the club operate with narrow pursestrings in a bid to meet UEFA squad cost regulations.
MLS side Charlotte FC are also in the running, and had been frontrunners this week before reports of Ligue 1 interest. Dean Smith is in charge of the side and is known to be a long-term admirer of Tavernier, who is ready for a new challenge.
The defender spent six years on the books at Newcastle United, who could look to reunite with the player. Manchester United hold fresh interest in Lewis Hall and any move for the right-back would force the Magpies to find a replacement.
Meanwhile West Ham, Burnley and Derby County all harbour interest in the Championship – a division Tavernier knows thanks to a 2014 loan spell with Wigan Athletic.