By Wayne Veysey

23rd Sep, 2020 | 7:00am

Exclusive: Leeds plot last-gasp bid for attacker in form of his life, £20m will seal deal

Leeds United have been aware for some time of the £20million release clause in Ryan Kent’s Rangers contract as they plot a late-window bid, Football Insider understands.

The Yorkshire giants had a £10m bid including add-ons knocked back by Steven Gerrard’s side earlier in the summer.

They subsequently turned to alternative attacking targets but Kent remains of interest to Leeds in the final two weeks of the transfer window.

A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Leeds are plotting an improved offer for Kent ahead of the 5 October cut-off.

They are unlikely to stretch as far as £20m for a player unproven in the Premier League but Marcelo Bielsa is a firm admirer.

Man United’s Dan James is another forward on United’s target list as they look to recruit a pacy attacker who can carry the ball forward and penetrate opposition defences.

Both Kent, 23, and James, 22, fit the same profile of young, hungry talents with their best years ahead of them and capable of developing under Bielsa’s coaching.

Kent is playing the best football of his career after emerging as the key man in Rangers’ attempts to stop Celtic marching to 10-in-a-row.

He has delivered a series of man-of-the-match displays this season and his eight matches have yielded four goals and three assists.

The wide man, who is also capable of playing in a central playmaker role, joined Rangers from Liverpool for £7m last summer when he became their second most expensive-ever signing.

He had a mixed 2019-20 after a hugely promising loan the previous campaign but has taken his game to a new level in the last two months.

In other news, Brighton have responded to an increased Leeds United defender bid.