Leeds may have seen our advances rebuffed by Liverpool winger Ryan Kent earlier in the summer, but The Scottish Sun understand Marcelo Bielsa has been stepping up his efforts to beat Rangers to the 22-year-old’s signature.
It is understood the boss delayed our pre-season tour of Australia, so that he could personally run the rule over the Oldham-born forward during a friendly between Liverpool and Bradford City on Sunday, where Kent was involved in each of the Reds’ three goals.
His efforts are thought to have left Bielsa impressed with what the Liverpool product could do at Elland Road next season, more so than his young teammate Harry Wilson.
Wilson is also believed to be a player of interest for Bielsa, but did not demonstrate enough against Bradford to convince the Argentine that he has more to offer in his locker than Kent.
However, Ibrox is still seen as the more likely destination for Kent following his year with the Gers on loan last season.
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard is still waiting on his former side to sanction Kent’s temporary departure, though, as Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp has delayed making his final decision until next month.
The Champions League winning German manager has informed Kent that he will be offered further minutes during Liverpool’s upcoming tour of the USA, where they will face Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla and Sporting Lisbon.
If the 5 ft 7 winger returns to England having left Klopp questioning what role he could offer at Anfield next season, the German may give the green light to one of Leeds or Rangers acquiring the 22-year-old on a season-long deal.
Should that be the case, it has been reported previously that Liverpool will request a loan fee in excess of £1million, and would demand various clauses are included in the agreement that would see the acquiring side financially penalised if Kent is omitted from a matchday squad.