With Junior Firpo at left-back and the long-term future of Jack Harrison loose, Leeds’ focus seems to be to add a new winger to their ranks. And that’s bad news for Rangers, who may now have a fight on their hands to hold on to Ryan Kent.
Marcelo Bielsa’s team consolidated in the Premier League last season. They did not quite deliver what many had hoped after seeing Wolves and Sheffield United upset the apple cart in previous seasons, but they finished strong in ninth place and are looking at a European place next semester.
Their rumored interest in Rangers winger Kent dates back to the summer of 2019 when he was still under contract at Liverpool. Reports then suggested that they were trying to sign him after an impressive loan at Ibrox, but it was Rangers who secured his signing for around £ 7 million.
He took the time to get started, and his first season as a permanent Rangers player was a transition period. But he was unplayable on the way to winning the title last semester, scoring 13 goals and giving 15 assists, and it’s no surprise to hear that Leeds are still tracking him closely.
The latest news about the situation comes from The Athletics Jordan Campbell, who claims that they “retain interest” in attracting him to Elland Road. However, it is not easy to write him.
Gers boss Steven Gerrard, with Kent in mind, recently claimed that anyone wishing to write one of their top stars must “bring an army” to the south side of Glasgow. In addition, Kent has claimed that he is willing to stay at Ibrox and will have a desire for Champions League football during Gerrard next season.
⚽️ April #GOTM – WINNER ?? @ryankent against Hibernian
Light Blues striker’s belts at Ibrox took 27% of the vote!
Congratulations Ryan! ? #SPFL | @RangersFC pic.twitter.com/tdQ3mvm0cg
– SPFL (@spfl) 24 May 2021
If Leeds cannot convince the Rangers to sell, they may be able to look elsewhere. And reports in France suggest they are looking at Lyon’s Maxwel Cornet.
The latest on this comes from Olympique et Lyonnais, which says Leeds’ bid of € 12 (£ 10m) has been rejected by the French side. Cornet is a wing player in the trade, but he spent much of last season covering the left-back, and that versatility will undoubtedly appeal to Bielsa, who likes his players to play multiple roles.
Although the offer was rejected, Cornet would probably still be the cheaper of the two options. But Kent has been on the agenda for a long time and looks like a more specialized addition to the page, so it remains to be seen where their priorities lie.
