This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk‘ series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
A host of Premier League clubs are eyeing up a move for Middlesbrough midfielder Marcus Tavernier, as per our FLW exclusive.
Brighton and Hove Albion, Southampton, Wolves and Bournemouth are all clubs looking at the 23-year-old, with a transfer battle to secure his signature on the cards for this summer.
Tavernier appeared 43 times for Boro in the Championship this season, scoring five goals and registering five assists.
With the above in mind, we asked FLW's Middlesbrough fan pundit Dana Malt whether or not Tavernier was ready for the step up to the top-flight.
"Marcus Tavernier is a Premier League player in a way and I think if a smart, top flight club picks him up, then they can develop him into a really big asset for them," Dana told FLW.
"He's a very well-rounded midfielder. He's a good presser, he's a good tackler, he's got a progress on the ball, be it through dribbling, or passing, and he's creative as well. If you play him out wide, then you'll see some good deliveries from the left.
"The thing that he probably needs to improve on is his shooting because he loses composure in the exact moments that you need it but, if a manager signs him at Premier League level, and harnesses what he is good at, and improves that and builds on that, and then works on what needs to be worked on, then that Premier League club will have a fantastic player on their books.
"Of course, I hope that doesn't happen. I hope that he stays at Middlesbrough because he can play a big part in next season but I think it's probably coming to the time where Tav needs to think about his future for himself and progressing his his own career.
"But I'm crossing my fingers that he stays and is a part of the journey for next season."
The Verdict
With a number of Premier League clubs monitoring his situation, it could be an interesting summer ahead for Marcus Tavernier.
Our fan pundit described the many attributes the midfielder possesses, and he would surely be an asset for any of the clubs he is being linked with.
With that said, Middlesbrough look set for a tough challenge to keep Tavernier on their books for next season.
If he were to leave the Riverside, there would certainly be a big gap for Boro to fill this summer.