Giovanni van Bronckhorst says Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson is in talks with Ibrox winger Ryan Kent over a new contract – amid reports that Leeds and Aston Villa want to sign him on a free, with his current deal ending in June.
Kent, 25, joined Rangers initially on loan from Liverpool before completing a £7.5million move north of the border. He has since helped Rangers win the Premiership, and get to the final of the Europa League. He has played 189 times.
In that time, he has had a hand in 82 goals – scoring 31 himself, and laying on 51 assists. Last season, he created a huge 19 goals in 46 games. The Sunday Mirror (02/10, p71) say Leeds and Villa want Kent, as covered on HITC Sport.
But van Bronckhorst has given an update on Kent’s future in his latest press conference, ahead of Rangers’ League Cup quarter-final against Dundee. He says that Wilson is in talks with Kent over extending his contract at the Glasgow side.
“Of course we would like to keep the players,” van Bronckhorst said, when asked about Kent, Ryan Jack and Alfredo Morelos’ contracts, as per Sky Sports. “But it is up to the players. It is up to the club. Ross is busy negotiating.”
Van Bronckhorst: Wilson in talks with Kent amid Villa reports
Losing Kent, firstly, would be a blow to Rangers. While he has not been in his best form this season, he is easily one of his side’s best attacking options. But for Kent, he may feel that this is a time to get out of Ibrox – and move south.
Described as “phenomenal” by Kris Boyd, he has been strongly linked with Leeds and a move to the Premier League. Villa need width and boast Steven Gerrard, his old Rangers manager. That is, if Gerrard is not sacked ahead of January.
But to lose Kent on a free transfer would be catastrophic for Rangers. A player that could easily command a fee north of £10million if they were to sell him. So, striking a new deal with the winger should be of utmost importance.
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