Why James Tavernier move to West Ham United may just make sense

West Ham could be a destination for former Rangers captain James Tavernier this summer.

The Hammers are in the market for reinforcements that can make a difference in the Championship.

West Ham Zone has previously covered reports linking Aaron Wan-Bissaka with a London Stadium exit.

If that happens, the Irons will need a replacement who has sufficient quality to help secure an immediate return to the Premier League.

The second tier is often heralded as a similar level to the Scottish Premiership, so the 34-year-old could thrive.

The numbers from the 2025-26 season certainty suggest that the move makes perfect sense.

What has been said about West Ham's interest in James Tavernier?

Tavernier is available as a free agent after leaving the Gers, and he has plenty of clubs after his services.

A report from TEAMtalk on Saturday claims that the Hammers have held conversations over the defender, but their interest depends on Wan-Bissaka departing.

The likes of Everton, Newcastle and Aston Villa have also enquired about the veteran, seeing him as an experienced leader, who has a remarkable 152 career goals.

Derby County and Burnley want him too, but FC Charlotte of the MLS are the frontrunners at the moment.

Turkish teams Istanbul Basaksehir, Kasimpasa and Amedspor are also looking at the ex-Ibrox man.

What does the data say about Tavernier?

In terms of his attacking metrics, Tavernier recorded 0.15 assists, 1.79 shots and 2.63 chances created per 90, according to Fotmob data.

Defensively, he made 2.17 tackles, 4.57 recoveries and 3.39 clearances per game, which are solid numbers.

In terms of duels, he won 51.4 per cent on the ground and 52.7 per cent in the air.

The evidence is clear: he can still produce at both ends, especially at Championship level, which is exactly what Nuno needs.

The data makes a compelling case for the Irons to make their move and try to convince the 2020-21 Scottish Premiership winner to join them.

It may prove to be a tough sell, given that the Hammers are no longer in the top-flight, but the chance for regular playing time may entice him.

It may even give them the edge over their rivals for his signature as he may not be able to command that type of gametime with them.