Barry Ferguson believes Ryan Kent is ready to sign a new contract and commit his future to Rangers despite receiving transfer interest from Leeds United, via his Daily Record column.
Kent is now in the final 12-months of the four-year contract he signed with the Gers whilst joining from Liverpool for £7.5m in 2019. But Ferguson senses from the forward’s summer performances that he is not currently planning a move away from Glasgow any time soon.
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Several Premier League and European outfits have shown an interest in prising Kent from Rangers during the off-season. 90min reported in May that Leeds remain huge fans of the 25-year-old, who has also appeared on radars at Everton, Fulham, Wolves and RB Leipzig.
RB Leipzig informed Rangers of their interest during the early stages of the summer sales. The Saxony natives headed a clutch of German outfits open to offering Kent a route to the Bundesliga. While Dean Jones also claimed Kent was aware of Everton and Leeds’ interest.
Jones additionally noted Kent was taking stock of his situation with Rangers as he wants to play in the Premier League. But no proposal has yet fallen on the desks at Ibrox that would tempt the Gers into selling the former England U20 winger with a year still on his contract.
Barry Ferguson feels Leeds eyed Ryan Kent is ‘bursting to get going’ for Rangers
Leeds have invested in Jesse Marsch’s wide options already this summer; with £21m spent on Feyenoord star Luis Sinisterra to replace Raphinha after his £49m, rising to £55m, move to Barcelona. But Ben Jacobs notes Newcastle admire Jack Harrison, who will cost £35m.
Kent could move to Elland Road as Harrison’s replacement if Leeds advance their interest in the Rangers winger. But Gers hero Ferguson senses that Giovanni van Bronckhorst is not planning for life without the forward, or Alfredo Morelos, after his displays in pre-season.
“My hunch is that both of them have decided they want to be part of the plans at Ibrox,” Ferguson wrote. “So, don’t be surprised if they both commit their futures to Rangers on long-term deals. Obviously, Morelos is working his way back to fitness at the moment
“But it’s very telling Kent has started every pre-season game. If Gio thought he was going to lose the Englishman this summer, then I’m sure he’d have used those friendly matches to start planning for life without him.
“Not only has Kent been playing, but he’s looked as sharp as a tack. He certainly hasn’t been going about his business like a guy who wants to be elsewhere. On the contrary, he looks fit, hungry and bursting to get going in a Rangers shirt again.”
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