Rangers hero Kris Boyd urges the Ibrox natives to ‘find a way’ to retain Ryan Kent with the forward out of contract in May. He is also a transfer target of Leeds United during January.
Kent has been in Glasgow since Steven Gerrard raided Liverpool for the winger in 2019. He paid the Anfield outfit a whopping £7.5m to sign the former England Under-20 prospect in a permanent move. Kent had spent the previous season on loan with the Premiership giants.
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But Rangers have not given Kent a fresh contract since he penned a four-year deal to leave Liverpool. Now, the Reds product is able to negotiate a pre-contract with teams ahead of a free transfer in the summer. A situation that Boyd now demands the Gers hierarchy avoid.
Kris Boyd demands Rangers to agree a new contract with Ryan Kent
Rangers are in talks with Kent over a new contract but their finances will limit their offer to the 26-year-old. Chairman Douglas Park recently suggested, via Sky Sports, that the terms may be ‘unattainable’. While Dean Jones reports talks are likely now entering a key phase.
Boyd, though, believes Rangers must do whatever they can to keep Kent at Ibrox. The Gers hero accepts the forward may want to explore a new adventure but he would be a big loss for boss Michael Beale. Even if the £18k-a-week star has not hit his best form this season.
“Rangers must find a way to keep him at the football club,” Boyd said on Sky Sports News (4/1, 10:37). “I totally understand that he may want to be given the opportunity to speak to other clubs and explore what’s there. But I think Ryan Kent loves it at Ibrox.
“He is adored by the fans. There is no doubt he can get back to [his best levels]. Yes, he can improve, there’s no doubt about that. But he brings so much more to the team, as well. He is one you really need to get tied down. But it might be the exact same as Connor Goldson.
“Leave it until the summer and see exactly what happens. There’s nothing the matter with Kent going out and exploring what’s there because he knows what Rangers can give him. I don’t think, looking at him, he’s one who’s thrown in the towel and said: ‘I’m moving on’.”
Leeds United are interested in securing Ryan Kent’s transfer in January
But with talks between Kent and Rangers over a new contract ongoing, clubs are sensing a chance to secure his transfer in January. The Sunday Mirror (02/10, p71) has reported that Leeds sent scouts to observe the Gers forward against Liverpool in the Champions League.
Aston Villa also sent scouts along to watch the winger whilst Gerrard remained at the club. Both sides were keeping tabs on Kent’s situation and form at Ibrox in view of a move in the winter market. Yet the Villans then fired Gerrard later on in October and hired Unai Emery.
Kent, meanwhile, failed to score or lay on any assists in the Champions League as Rangers finished last in Group A. But he has two goals and seven assists in 18 Premiership matches so far this season. He bagged his latest goal in the Old Firm Derby to draw 2-2 with Celtic.
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