Sources: Leeds United make approach to sign Rangers star Ryan Kent
Leeds United have registered their interest in Rangers star Ryan Kent ahead of the summer, sources have told Football Insider.
The winger, 26, is free to discuss pre-contract deals with his Ibrox agreement expiring in the summer and his future is up in the air.
It is believed that Leeds have been in contact with Kent’s camp to discuss their interest in a player who has long been on their radar.
Championship leaders Burnley are also keen on Kent, as first revealed by Football Insider last month (10 February), and will push ahead with trying to lure him if they succeed in their promotion bid.
Leeds tried to sign the Liverpool academy product on a number of occasions when Marcelo Bielsa was their manager but terms could not be agreed.
The Argentine was a huge fan of Kent’s ability to provide cutting edge in attack, which has been demonstrated throughout his five-season stint at Ibrox.
Leeds’ own pursuit will also depend on them avoiding relegation from the Premier League this season.
That ambition was dented at the weekend when they lost 1-0 at Chelsea, to leave them 17th in the table and just one point above the bottom three clubs.
Renewal talks between Rangers and Kent have been slow, but the club feel they are in a strong position as negotiations progress.
There is hope in Glasgow that Kent will stay, although it is understood that reports of wage demands of £50,000-£60,000-a-week are wide of the mark and far too high.
Kent shares a strong relationship with current Rangers manager Michael Beale after previously thriving under him during his spell as assistant manager at Ibrox.
He moved north of the border from Liverpool in 2018 – initially on a one-year loan before the move was made permanent for £7million a year later.
Kent, who is regarded as Rangers’ prize asset as well as their outstanding player, has scored three goals and supplied eight assists from 38 matches in all competitions this season.
In other news, Kieran Maguire: Leeds United relegation will cause ‘adjustment’ to 49ers takeover