Exclusive: Darren Bent claims one club has 'got the advantage' in Rangers v Leeds battle
EXCLUSIVE
Steven Gerrard and Rangers have the advantage over Leeds United in the hunt for Liverpool winger Ryan Kent this summer, according to Darren Bent.
The former England striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claims that Kent's loan spell at Ibrox last season gives the Light Blues the edge when it comes to prising him away from Anfield as both clubs chase his capture.
As exclusively revealed by Football Insider, Rangers have agreed a verbal agreement with Liverpool over the young forward returning to Glasgow if Jurgen Klopp allows him to head out on loan, while Noel Whelan has suggested Marcelo Bielsa has been in face-to-face talks with Jurgen Klopp over his capture.
Bent is backing the Glasgow giants over the Yorkshire heavyweights to come out on top in the hunt for the 22-year-old this summer, insisting that the relationship built up with Gerrard over the last year is the decisive factor.
"You'd have to say Rangers have got the advantage because he's been there already," Bent told Football Insider.
"He's been there already and knows Steven Gerrard so he's comfortable there. You talk about Leeds, they're one of the big clubs in this country, looking to get promoted.
"It's such a tough decision because some people go you're playing for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership, others saying the Championship is like the Scottish Premiership and it's Leeds and it's a harder standard.
"If it was me and I knew Steven Gerrard, played there last season, he wants me back again, I'd be more inclined to stay where I'm at because there's not too many changes."
Kent played 43 times across all competitions for Rangers during his season-long loan spell, scoring six goals and chipping in with nine assists on the way to the SPFA Young Player of the Year award.
He has just one competitive first-team appearance for Liverpool to his name, featuring for under an hour against Exeter City in a 2-2 draw in the FA Cup.
In other Rangers news, it can be REVEALED that Mark Allen is working on as many as five senior deals at Ibrox before the transfer window shuts.