Should transfer frustration make Liverpool’s Ryan Kent even more tempting for Celtic?

Follow us on Google Discover

Celtic wanted Liverpool winger Ryan Kent earlier in the transfer window and now is the time to make him a primary option.

With around a month until the new Scottish Premiership season kicks off, Celtic are yet to fill the void left by Patrick Roberts’ return to Manchester City at the end of his 18-month loan deal.

The Champions had made the 20-year-old winger their top summer priority but it appears he will be given the opportunity to stake his claim in City’s first team instead. According to the Daily Record, Roberts will feature in the club’s pre-season tour of the USA with Pep Guardiola keen to let him prove he can force his way into his plans next season.

Reports suggested Celtic could have broken their £6m transfer record for Patrick Roberts

Although that is not to say Celtic had pinned their hopes purely on signing Roberts permanently. There have been a number of alternatives but, with reported interest in Adnan Januzaj going cold and Serbian winger Srdan Plavsic joining Sparta Prague instead, manager Brendan Rodgers is still on the lookout.

And Celtic suffered another blow when the brother of Chelsea starlet Charly Musonda, who had reportedly agreed a £5 million move to Parkhead, ruled out a summer move, as reported by The Express.

Temping target

Therefore, perhaps Celtic should turn their attention back to another highly-rated winger.

The Sun claimed that Liverpool rejected a loan offer from Celtic for Ryan Kent as manager Jurgen Klopp wanted the run the rule over him in pre-season and judge whether he could make an impact on the first-team next season.

However, with speculation intensifying that Leeds United could renew their interest having been linked earlier this summer, via the Sun (page 59, 11 June), Celtic must act fast if they do not want to fall behind in the race.

Ryan Kent has a bright future at Liverpool

Kent enjoyed a fine season on loan at Barnsley in 2016/17 and, like Roberts, would surely benefit from honing his trade and winning mentality at a club of Celtic’s stature.

And with Musonda the latest exciting prospect to slip through Celtic’s grasp, they should double their efforts to convince Liverpool that a short-term move would benefit all parties.