Marcelo Bielsa has to play the waiting game to see if Leeds can sign Ryan Kent this summer, as while the Daily Record understand Liverpool will wait until pre-season training to decide the winger’s future, Goal have reported news that the 22-year-old has reached a decision.
Jurgen Klopp intends to have the first crop of his squad arrive back at their Melwood training complex on July 6, with the Reds summer schedule featuring ten fixtures before their competitive campaign commences.
It is unclear whether the first group of players arriving back at Melwood will include Kent, but it would be a likely scenario given he was sent out on loan last season while they reached the Champions League Final – which has resulted in certain first-teamers being given an extended summer break.
While we wait on news of Kent’s future, Liverpool have decided the immediate fate of another one of their young stars in Sheyi Ojo, who has joined Rangers on loan for the 2019/20 season following Leeds target Kent’s success under Steven Gerrard, where he was named PFA Scotland’s Young Player of the Year.
Rangers are keen to retain 5 ft 7 Kent’s services for another year, too, and the Daily Record understand the Gers have already held talks with Liverpool over the potential for a deal, only to hear the Anfield natives are yet to reach a decision; given our interest and news that Aston Villa may be willing to offer the Reds product Premier League football.
The Daily Record also add that sources from within both Liverpool and Rangers feel a deal can be reached over the winger’s return to Ibrox, however, despite previous reports suggesting the Oldham-born ace would prefer a move to Elland Road.
Those prior reports also go against what Goal are now claiming, as they have suggested the former England U20 international is set to reject the chance of a temporary stint at Elland Road, as he would prefer to either have a first-team role at Anfield next season or leave for one at another club permanently.
If that is the case, it would be rather unlikely that Kent is a Whites player next term, as Liverpool are expected to hold out for £12million, but we are hamstrung for funds and thus are focusing on bringing players to West Yorkshire on loan.