Ryan Kent available for free transfer after Leeds United sniff out deal as ‘absolutely rotten’ performance slammed
Scottish Mail on Sunday columnist Gary Keown cannot believe Ryan Kent is set to leave Rangers on a free transfer when Leeds United were once ready to spend big on signing him.
In August 2020, Steven Gerrard confirmed that the Gers had turned down a Leeds bid for the 26-year-old attacker. According to BBC Sport, £10million was offered.
Keown hasn’t been impressed with Kent’s form in Scotland, slamming the ex-Liverpool forward for his most recent performance against Celtic on Saturday.
He’s also taken a swipe at the Ibrox board for allowing a situation to evolve in which Kent goes on a free transfer.
Writing in the Scottish Mail on Sunday (9 April, page 98) about Kent, Keown said: “He was absolutely rotten [in Rangers’ 3-2 Old Firm defeat to Celtic]. The inclination in football is to try to protect your investments. Of course, he should have been sold when Leeds were sniffing. Just as [Alfredo] Morelos should have been flogged to Lille when they put £16m on the table.
“That both can now walk for free when there was around about £30m there to be taken is mismanagement of playing assets on a breathtaking scale. It can never happen again.”
Go for him again?
Leeds don’t know what division they’re going to be playing in next season and after losing 5-1 at home against Crystal Palace on Sunday, many fans are worried that the chances of being in the Championship are increasing.
If we do find ourselves back in the second tier then trying to sign Kent on a free transfer would be a good piece of business.
He’s not Premier League quality. But he could be at a level where he can help teams get into England’s top flight based on his performances in Scotland and in European football in recent seasons.
Sure, he’s dropped off at Ibrox lately, leading to Keown giving a scathing assessment of his latest performance.
But Kent could be worth a go on a free transfer.
if we stay up, Leeds shouldn’t go anywhere near him – even if it was Marcelo Bielsa who’d previously given the go-ahead to Victor Orta to sign him.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are set to be hit with a “huge financial blow”.