Al-Ettifaq manager Steven Gerrard is considering an approach for Rangers captain James Tavernier, according to HITC Football.

The former Light Blues boss is said to have originally tried to sign the 32-year-old last year, only for his advances to be rebuffed.

However, it appears a second attempt will be made to lure Tavernier away from Ibrox; a place he has called home for the last eight and a half years.

The fullback has had another excellent season for the Gers, racking up 21 goals and 10 assists in 46 appearances.

With Tavernier showing no signs of slowing down, current head coach Philippe Clement would be extremely reluctant to lose him this summer.

Rangers are confident they can keep hold of their talisman

In addition to the defender showing no signs that he wants to leave Glasgow, the club will feel they have protected themselves by tying him down to a long-term contract.

Despite his age, Tavernier put pen to paper on a four-year extension when he signed his last deal in 2022, keeping him with the Light Blues until the summer of 2026.

Will money tempt Tavernier into leaving?

Of course, contracts don’t mean a great deal if a player has his head turned but, as Al-Ettifaq are not one of the Saudi Pro League clubs owned by PIF (Public Investment Fund), they are not among the richest.

It means that Gerrard would play a central role in persuading Tavernier to move to the Middle East. The Liverpool legend has already attracted the likes of Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnadlum, Seko Fofana, Mousse Dembele and Jack Hendry among others.

HITC also suggest that there is a chance that one of the PIF-funded teams may also make an approach for Tavernier, in addition to Al-Ettifaq, and that would make the Gers’ task of keeping their player all the more difficult.