George Overhill

Sun 16 April 2023 9:51, UK

Ryan Kent is being scouted by Burnley for a potential summer move to the Premier League after “missing out” on Leeds United twice, the Scottish Sun reports.

The 26-year-old Rangers winger closing in on the end of his contract at Ibrox and despite manager Michael Beale hoping he will stay that is now looking unlikely.

Despite endlessly being linked to an Elland Road transfer he could instead now be set to move back to England with the Clarets, already promoted back to the Premier League after a stunning Championship campaign.

Now considered a “top free agent” according to Alan Nixon’s report, he will be watched by scouts from Vincent Kompany’s side between now and the end of the season.

And a chance to play in the English top flight reportedly “would appeal to him after missing out on a switch to Leeds United a couple of times”.

Ship’s sailed

Kent has been one of a few players who have been tipped to arrive at Elland Road so often in recent years that it seemed like it would never happen, and that does appear set to be the case.

According to Nixon it was a genuine possibility more than once, but with the options now on offer to Javi Gracia there seems to be little need for the former Liverpool man.

While a key part of the recent SPFL and Scottish Cup wins at Ibrox, as well as the run to the Europa League final last season, he has often been criticised for a lack of end product.

And while there is still room for improvement among the Leeds United contingent it is hard to see Kent pushing past any of Willy Gnonto, Jack Harrison, Luis Sinisterra or Crysencio Summerville.

It would be a source of some irony if he did make it to the Premier League after all the false dawns only for the Whites not there as well, so the current squad have to ensure that they survive over the final weeks of the campaign to potentially meet him next season.

In other Leeds United news, a rival Premier League manager has claimed the club owe him and his team.