Leeds United must make a move for Ryan Kent before deadline day…
What’s the word?
The Rangers star continues to be linked with a return to England, and notably, a switch to Elland Road with Teddy Bears legend Barry Ferguson recently commenting on his future in Glasgow.
“I’ve got a feeling [Alfredo] Morelos will stay, Kent I’m unsure,” he told Record Sport.
“The Leeds thing keeps popping up every now and then and I’m sure he wants to go back down and try himself in the Premier League. Rangers would love to keep both, but money talks and every player has a price on their head. If that price is met, Rangers will do business.”
With Raphinha close to joining Barcelona in a £55m deal, the former Liverpool graduate could be the man to fill the huge void left behind.
Forget Sinisterra
Leeds director of football Victor Orta and manager Jesse Marsch may have already taken steps to replace the Brazil international, signing Luis Sinisterra from Feyenoord.
But history suggests that wingers from the Eredivisie have often struggled in the Premier League, the most notable case being Steven Bergwijn at Tottenham Hotspur. He has since returned to the Netherlands, joining champions Ajax.
The 23-year-old Colombian isn’t a natural right-sided option either, having played the majority of his games for the Dutch side on the left flank – 81.4% of his 113 senior appearances, to be precise.
Should Leeds launch a move for Ryan Kent before deadline day?
100%!
No way!
That would suggest that he maybe isn’t the natural heir to Raphinha’s throne, so perhaps it would be wise for Leeds to reignite their long-standing interest in Kent, who is believed to have a £20m release clause at Ibrox.
It is also thought that the Englishman would “seriously consider” a move to west Yorkshire, as per journalist Pete O’Rourke.
The Oldham-born winger, who is valued at £15.75m by Transfermarkt, has delivered a whopping 78 goal contributions in 174 appearances for the Scottish giants, including 13 goals and 15 assists during their title-winning campaign in 2020/21.
Such form and impressive displays have seen the former Liverpool man lauded with praise.
Gers teammate Leon Balogun told the ‘Beautiful Game’ podcast that Kent causes him “real problems in training” and also dubbed him a “wing wizard,” whilst journalist Andrew Dickson has deemed him to be “completely unplayable” on his day.
The Englishman would also need little time adapting to a new country, unlike Sinisterra.
On the above evidence, it would be very wise for Leeds to finally make their move for Kent as he could be a far greater replacement for Raphinha than anyone in Marsch’s current ranks, heading into the new campaign.
Orta should go and get his long-term target as soon as possible.
AND in other news, Orta could finally replace fan-favourite in bargain Leeds swoop for £6m “nutmeg king”…