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Michael Ball: Huge blow for Rangers to lose Leeds United-linked Ryan Kent
Leeds United would land a “huge blow” on Rangers if they sign Ryan Kent in the next two weeks, according to Michael Ball.
Speaking on The Phil Hay Show podcast last week, The Athletic journalist Phil Hay reported that Rangers may have to sell some of their players after dropping out of the Champions League and Kent, 24, is someone Leeds like.
However, Hay added that the Whites won’t pay the £20million the Gers want for the ex-Liverpool winger and the Yorkshire club “would want it to be [an] incentivised” deal if they did sign him.
Ex-Rangers and England left-back Ball was stunned when Rangers splashed out £7.5million to sign Kent in 2019 but feels he’s justified that and losing him to Leeds would be terrible for the Scottish champions.
“It would be a huge blow for Rangers to lose Ryan,” Ball told Football Transfer Tavern.
“I was quite surprised Rangers forked out so much money for the guy but he’s been an instant success and a fans’ favourite.
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“It would be a huge blow if he goes.”
Do we need Kent?
If Leeds are going to sign any new players between now and the end of the month, they are going to be players who will be massive improvements to the squad.
Kent can play anywhere in the attack but is mainly a left-sided winger and he played almost all of his 52 matches for Rangers last season in that position as he scored 13 goals and assisted 15.
Kent has started this season well for Steven Gerrard’s side, assisting two goals in four games.
And while he’s invaluable at Ibrox, what would he be able to offer at Elland Road if Leeds do go on to spend £20million on the English winger?
Jack Harrison has the left-winger role locked down for Marcelo Bielsa and if he’s injured, the Whites boss also has Stuart Dallas to call upon.
Helder Costa can also play out on the left so is there a massive need for Kent? No, there isn’t.
If we’re spending £20million on a player, it’s going to be a player who’s expected to start most matches and with Harrison impressing at Elland Road, we fail to see how he could be dropped.
Yes, extra depth would be handy and improve the squad. However, we don’t want to see Leeds splashing the cash on players who are coming in just to do that.
In other Leeds United news, Jamie O’Hara has made a baffling prediction about the Whites this season on talkSPORT.