Ryan Kent reflects on Leeds United interest as Rangers boss Steven Gerrard makes selling admission over stars

Marcelo Bielsa’s Whites have tried to sign 24-year-old winger Kent over the last two summers.

United initially looked to land Kent after he returned to former parent club Liverpool from his loan spell at Rangers in the summer of 2019.

Kent instead joined Rangers on a permanent deal for £7m and the Ibrox club then rejected United’s bids to sign the winger the following summer.

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A fee believed to be in the region of £11 million was knocked back.

Reports in Scotland suggest that newly-crowned SPL champions Rangers are now braced for another improved bid from Leeds this summer – possibly in the region of £15m.

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has admitted that any decision to sell his best players will likely be taken out of his own hands “if the right number lands.”

Kent, though, whilst appreciative of such interest, is remaining focused on the immediate task in hand.

“It’s just playing in the now,” said Kent, speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Sunday’s Old Firm clash against Celtic at Ibrox.

“It’s nice to be linked with other football clubs, other big clubs.

“But you have got to understand your duty of where you are at and for as long as I am at Rangers I will give my 100 per cent to the football club.

“I love this place and it has done so much for me so as long as I am here my mind is solely focused on Rangers.

“Is the Champions League a motivation? Massive. It’s the biggest stage in club football and to be able to test yourself against the best players and teams in the world would be quite special.”

Taking a realistic view to likely interest in the summer, Gerrard said: “At a club like this, I don’t think it’s no secret to say that we will get attention for our own players.

“From a selfish point of view, I don’t want any of my good players to go but the reality is, if the right number lands, that decision might be taken out of my hands.

“I might not like it at the time, but it’s where we are as a club.

“In terms of the Champions League, what an opportunity.

“I see that as something that is very much motivating and exciting but to have a better chance of getting that back for everyone connected at the club it’s important that we keep strengthening as well.”

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