Leeds United’s attempts to sign Rangers winger Ryan Kent this summer are in trouble, a report from a print edition of The Sun (30/08) has claimed.
The Whites have already made one £10million bid for Kent this summer, which Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has confirmed was rejected by the Ibrox club, and it now seems as though the chances of a second bid being successful are unlikely.
According to the latest reports, Gerrard is unwilling to let Kent go over the course of this window unless the offer is too good to refuse, something which has put Leeds’ hopes of bringing the 23-year-old to Elland Road this summer in jeopardy.
It is thought that Rangers have taken that stance because of the fact that they are facing the prospect of losing striker Alfredo Morelos this summer, meaning the club do not want to lose another attacking outlet in Kent as well.
The winger himself is said to be keen to stay at Ibrox and repay Gerrard’s faith in him, and with three years remaining on Kent’s current contract, Rangers are in a strong position to negotiate any offers that come in for him.
Leeds could arguably do with adding another attacking option to their squad before the window closes in early October, meaning that this will be frustrating news for them.
Kent’s recent performances for Rangers do suggest that he could have been a useful asset for Marcelo Bielsa’s side in the Premier League next season, and the pressure will now be on them to find an alternative target to fill that role.
However, it is worth noting that there is no point Leeds paying over the odds for Kent here, which Rangers could force them to do with their approach here, meaning looking elsewhere could be sensible for the Whites.